Getting a state veterinarian to visit their farms is close to impossible. This is according to livestock farmers in the Free State, who say that veterinarians often cite a lack of resources and empty fuel tanks as reasons for not doing call-outs.
Only ten state field veterinarians are currently servicing the province, agriculture, land reform and rural development minister Thoko Didiza recently revealed in parliament. She responded to questions from Noko Masipa, DA member on the portfolio committee for agriculture.
“There are five positions that are currently vacant, and the department has advertised three positions linked to the provincial budget. The department therefore plans to fill the three advertised positions as early as 1 October 2021,” Didiza said.
According to the minister, the current ratio of state veterinarians to livestock in the province is approximately one practitioner to 50 000 animals.
To Free State farmers it feels like the situation is far worse, and some describe the state of vet services in the province as “absolutely chaotic”.
Where did all the state vets go?
Dr Nico Buys, chairman of the Red Meat Producers Organisation’s (RPO) Free State branch, tells Food For Mzansi that veterinary services in the province are almost non-existent.
“Vet technicians are nowhere to be found. There are many private veterinarians here who try their best to serve us all, but unfortunately they can’t.” The problem with private veterinarians, he says, is that they are pricey and not all farmers can afford the steep call-out fees.
The problem seems to be exacerbated by the poor service delivery offered by existing state vets.
Buys explains, “When we talk to the vets, they tell us that they don’t have transport or fuel to travel to the farmers. We had a state veterinarian here with us who complained that she did not have help.”
Black farmers bear the brunt
A lack of veterinarian services can be detrimental to a farming business, Buys emphasises.
Contagious abortion, scientifically known as brucellosis in cattle, is a major problem and if animals are not tested by a vet, it can lead to unhealthy herds that can’t produce.
While all livestock farmers are impacted by this, Buys says that black livestock producers are especially hard hit.
“Disadvantaged black farmers often do not get their cattle tested for contagious abortion. This is because the state of non-existent state vets forces them to contract private vets who are incredibly expensive.
“As a result, they sit with the problem of not being able to breed animals properly, which means they do not get to contribute to the red meat industry in South Africa.”
Buys says that although these producers want to participate, they can’t.
“RPO Free State wants to help black farmers, but our hands are tied. At this point, South Africa is a net importer of red meat. If we get these issues sorted, achieving net exporter status would be much easier.”
While there may be no quick fix or simple solution, Buys argues that more funds should be made available to state veterinarians and, although it is expensive, veterinarian training is also something on which to focus.
“If we solve these problems then we can export, which means the price for our products will increase. Farmers will also perform better in terms increased production.”
ALSO READ: SA’s severe vet shortage will be difficult to fix
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