Kwanalu: FMD response must protect communal lands to commercial corridors

KwaZulu-Natal’s Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak is tightening its grip on the province’s livestock sector – impacting everyone from rural families selling a single animal to put food on the table, to established agribusinesses battling to keep export operations afloat.

 

The KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union (Kwanalu) has reiterated its call for provincial disaster declaration, and a coordinated and inclusive response – one that empowers all livestock owners to comply with disease control protocols, while ensuring no farmer is left without the support needed to survive.

 

“We are seeing intense pressure across the board. Some of the country’s most established commercial operations are at risk of closure, while small-scale farmers face impossible choices between following the law and feeding their families,” says Sandy La Marque, CEO of Kwanalu.

 

In many rural communities, the sale of a single animal is a family’s only financial lifeline, but with movement restrictions in place, many find themselves caught between survival and legality. Kwanalu warns that unless urgent support mechanisms are introduced, including education, mobile permit access, a market within the DMA and veterinary services, compliance will remain out of reach for many.

 

“No farmer wants to break the rules, but the reality is that some are left with no choice. We must remove those barriers – not with judgment, but with practical help,” says Angus Williamson, Vice President of Kwanalu and Chair of the Red Meat Producers Organisation.

 

The Union has welcomed recent government efforts to expand vaccine access across the province. The Minister of Agriculture has confirmed the arrival of additional vaccines, with plans for free distribution via State Veterinary Services in affected zones. Kwanalu says this must now be matched with on-the-ground coordination, particularly in communal farming areas where the outbreak continues to spread.

 

“Every corner of this sector is hurting. But if we work together – commercial and communal, government and farmer – we can slow the spread and protect every player in the value chain,” says PJ Hassard, President of Kwanalu.

 

The FMD crisis has led to export suspensions and production bottlenecks, particularly in affected zones – placing livelihoods, local economies, and the reputation of South African agriculture at risk.

 

In affected commercial corridors, producers face mounting logistical and financial losses; from delayed exports to disrupted operations, placing jobs and future viability at risk. In rural regions, they’re felt in empty plates and school fees unpaid.

 

Kwanalu is calling for permit and veterinary support in rural areas, language-specific communication of protocols and best practices, and economic relief measures for affected producers of all sizes.

 

“Kwanalu is seeking solutions which are beneficial to all farmers. Agriculture in Kwazulu-Natal is the backbone of economic development, employment and growth and must be protected at all costs.” La Marque concludes.

 

The KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union, Kwanalu, is a representative organization voice of the rural and agricultural sectors in the province. Its viewpoints are based on submissions from its members, and it is committed to a sustainable and profitable future for Agriculture within KwaZulu-Natal and the greater South Africa.

 

For more information on Kwanalu, visit www.kwanalu.co.za or call 033 342 9393.