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The Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape welcomes the signs of stabilisation in the provincial Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak. As of 21 April, it was revealed in a press release by the Premier that the province has recorded one month without a new confirmed case, with the last instance identified on 22 March in Prospect Hill. This milestone is a direct result of the Western Cape’s proactive 21-Point Plan and the rigorous implementation of movement controls and vaccination strategies.
According to the FMD Dashboard, 161,977 vaccine doses have been administered at 734 sites, representing 35 percent coverage across the province. While regional progress is strong, with the West Coast at 63 percent and Cape Town at 56 percent, the province must maintain this momentum to protect the agricultural value chain.
Noko Masipa MPP, DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, said: "The stabilisation of FMD is a major victory for our rural economy, but we must not become complacent. To secure our livestock industry, we are working toward a target of 80 percent herd immunity.
To reach this threshold quickly and efficiently, the Western Cape should be granted the right to procure its own vaccines. Relying on national supply chains often creates administrative bottlenecks that our farmers cannot afford. By allowing the province to manage its own procurement, we can streamline the response and provide the certainty required to protect a sector that supports over 50,000 jobs."
We urge all livestock owners to remain vigilant and maintain strict on-farm biosecurity. One month of stabilisation is a significant achievement, but reaching the 80 percent herd immunity goal remains the only way to safeguard the province against future outbreaks.
Issued by Noko Masipa, MPP - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism
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