This live system hands crucial control to farmers, allowing them to apply for official authorization to vaccinate their own animals and curb potential FMD outbreaks faster than before.

“The launch of this system means that the owners and managers of cattle will be able to perform voluntary vaccination of their livestock against FMD,” said minister Willie Aucamp. “This step is only the beginning and I can assure all stakeholders that the department of agriculture is committed to enabling the private sector to help tackle the FMD outbreak.”

Livestock owners can now register on the FMD reporting site and each of the required steps are outlined in the step-by-step guidelines.

Livestock owners and managers also have the option to use the online systems provided by agricultural organisations. Photo: Facebook

The process is divided into three parts – application to be an “authorised person, notice of intention to vaccinate and submitting of a vaccination report.

Livestock owners and managers also have the option to use any of the approved online systems provided by private sector stakeholders such as the platforms provided by RMIS, Saai and Buffalo Analytics.

Aucamp said the department is dedicated to continue strengthening relations with the sector and that he will chart a unified way of working which welcomes support and collaboration from all stakeholders. ”All the information gathered through these reports will enable government to monitor progress of the vaccination programme.

Willie Aucamp, minister of agriculture, is positive about the new self-vaccination system for FMD. Photo: Department Agriculture

“It will also enable us to efficiently provide up-to-date information on the success of South Africa’s vaccination programme to the World Organisation for Animal Health when we are in a position to apply to (it) for FMD-free status with vaccination once again.”

All organised agricultural organisations are encouraged to liaise with approved vaccine importers, on behalf of their members, on the number of vaccines required by their members. This will assist the importers in determining the number of vaccines that they need to procure and distribute to veterinarians all over the country.

The cost of the vaccines purchased in this voluntary vaccination rollout will be for the account of the farmers that do the voluntary vaccination of their cloven-hoofed animals.

“I want to thank all farmers, organisations as well as the department of agriculture officials, who have worked tirelessly to get these systems up and running shortly after reaching the settlement,” Aucamp said.

OFM Agri/Isabel van Tonder sm

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