The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the Eastern Cape Provincial Government’s announcement of R55 million in emergency funding to procure vaccines in response to the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak.
This funding, announced by Finance MEC Mlungisi Mvoko yesterday following the announcement that FMD had been classified as a National Disaster, represents a necessary and urgent step to contain the spread of this highly contagious disease, protect the province’s livestock sector, and safeguard food security and agricultural livelihoods.
We also commend John Steenhuisen, Minister of Agriculture, for his role in getting FMD classified as a National Disaster. This will assist in enabling the release of emergency funding and strengthening the government’s ability to respond decisively to the crisis.
The DA has consistently called for decisive, proactive measures to prevent further economic losses for farmers and to limit the devastating impact of FMD outbreaks on rural economies, job security, and trade.
The impact of the outbreak is already devastating farming communities. Emerging farmers across the province are suffering significant livestock losses, facing quarantine restrictions that prevent them from trading, and being forced to carry rising feed and operational costs while their income collapses
This emergency allocation will help ensure the province can secure critical vaccine supplies and strengthen the response to the outbreak. Swift and coordinated action across all spheres of government remains essential to contain the spread of the disease and protect the agricultural value chain.
However, while this emergency allocation is welcomed, it must be accompanied by clear implementation plans, strict oversight, and transparent reporting on vaccine procurement and distribution. Delays, mismanagement, or failures in coordination will continue to place farmers and the broader agricultural value chain at risk.
I have written to the MEC of Agriculture, Nonceba Kontsiwe, to request that she ensure rapid and equitable distribution of vaccines once available, as well as the strengthening of disease monitoring and biosecurity measures. The MEC must provide meaningful support for affected farmers, particularly emerging and small-scale producers.
Foot-and-mouth disease poses a serious threat to the Eastern Cape’s agricultural sustainability and economic stability. The government’s response must therefore remain swift, coordinated, and accountable.
The DA will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure that this funding delivers real protection for farmers, preserves livelihoods, and prevents further spread of the disease.