South Africa’s (SA), agricultural organisations are heading to the High Court in Pretoria to challenge government restrictions on the use of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines.
Sakeliga, together with the Southern African Agri Initiative and Free State Agriculture, is seeking urgent legal relief after a mediation process with government failed.
The groups want the court to stop authorities from blocking private individuals and companies from procuring and administering approved FMD vaccines to livestock.
They argue that farmers are willing to use legally imported vaccines, some of which are already being used by the state, but are being prevented from doing so.
President of Free State Agriculture, Francois Wilken, says allowing the private sector to assist could speed up the vaccination process significantly. He says while government aims to vaccinate 70% of cattle by the end of the year, broader co-operation could see the entire herd covered within a few months.
–SABC/ChannelAfrica–
