Foot-and-Mouth Outbreak Sparks Concern among Eastern Cape Farmers

Farmers in Eastern Cape, a major hub of the country’s livestock industry, are facing growing financial pressure following an outbreak of Foot-and-mouth disease that was declared a national disaster in February in South Africa. The government launched a 10-year vaccination campaign in January aimed at immunizing nearly 20 million cattle, but some farmers say the response came too late to prevent major losses.  

  Igsahn Felix, farmer said "Because from last year that disease was coming on and I don’t know why they take so long. Because if we were vaccinated early enough, the disease wasn't being here and we could have not lost that plenty of money."

Livestock owners in the region report that the spread of the disease, along with other challenges such as drought and rising feed costs, has placed additional strain on farm operations.