FSA Challenges State’s Vaccine Approach in Court

Free State Agriculture (FSA) has confirmed that it, together with the Southern Africa Agri-Initiative (SAAI) and Sakeliga, has brought an urgent application in the High Court in Pretoria for interim relief against the Minister of Agriculture, the Department of Agriculture and the Director of Animal Health. According to Francois Wilken, president of FSA, this application forms part of a broader review process in which the legality, rationality and constitutionality of certain foot-and-mouth disease measures, especially around vaccines, are being questioned.

Free State Agriculture notes with serious concern the continued spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and the devastating economic impact it is having on livestock farmers and the broader agricultural value chain. “The current situation not only threatens the livelihoods of individual producers, but also food security, jobs and rural economies,” says Wilken.

The core of Free State Agriculture’s position is that farmers should not be prevented from protecting their own animals where they have the capacity to do so legally and responsibly. “At a time when the state itself acknowledges capacity challenges and the disease is already widespread, it is unacceptable that private initiative and resources are effectively blocked.”

FSA argues that the current approach, which limits the import and availability of vaccine and prevents farmers from acting in parallel with the state, is exacerbating the crisis and increasing the risk of further losses. A model in which the state, the private sector and producers act together is essential to effectively manage the pandemic, FSA believes.

“We call on the government to follow an inclusive, scientifically based and practically feasible strategy that mobilises all available capacity to combat the spread of FMD,” says Wilken.

Free State Agriculture will continue to monitor the situation closely and support its members in protecting their animals and operations within the framework of the law.