The minister of agriculture, DA leader John Steenhuisen, has unveiled a national vaccination strategy, but there is a lack of clarity regarding implementation and access to vaccines for farmers. In response, Steenhuisen released a statement on Tuesday, 27 January, urging unity rather than litigation. He said the Animal Diseases Act governed the controlled vaccination process.
“The threatened court action could well derail the purchasing and rollout of vaccines while the Saai/Sakeliga/Free State Agriculture case moves through the court process and the department waits to obtain a clear directive from the court in this matter,” said Steenhuisen. “Technical responses required by officials and veterinarians within the department to answer such court challenges will divert critical veterinary and departmental resources away from the frontline fight against FMD. “In addition, financial resources that could go towards vaccine purchase or personnel recruitment will have to be diverted to answer the court challenge.”
Read Full Article on Daily Maverick
