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Economist pleads for aggressive prevention protocols to control farming sustainability

───   05:00 Thu, 17 Jun 2021

Economist pleads for aggressive prevention protocols to control farming sustainability | News Article

The sustainability of production, harvest, and trade within the agricultural sector has recently been threatened following reports of outbreaks of diseases such as Avian Influenza and the foot-and-mouth disease on farms in South Africa.

Paul Makube, Senior Agricultural Economist at FNB, says that pest control and disease management is paramount for the continuation of the value chain and exports. 

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Makube says: “The ability to detect, prevent and respond to animal health and livestock emergencies is critical to ensure food security and the sustainability of the agricultural sector of any country.

“This year, there have already been reports of outbreaks in the Western Cape and North West. In severe situations, the outbreaks attract import bans from various countries. Chairperson of the National Animal Health Forum, Dr Chris van Dijk, says the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), in collaboration with the pork industry, are working together to control the ASF outbreak. 

"Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a severe, highly contagious viral disease of livestock that has a significant economic impact. The disease affects cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and other cloven-hoofed animals,” says Makube. 

He emphasises how import bans have a direct impact on producer’s bottom line which means that producers are at risk of losing billions when they are being forced to redirect their products to the local market. 

Ultimately, containing the outbreak of pests and diseases through methods such as vaccinations means that the value chain, as well as the exports, are sustained.



OFM News/Lee Simmons

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