Inside South Africa's Foot and Mouth Crisis

Описание: The media isn't talking about it. The government is sleeping on it. And South African farmers are paying the price.

In this inaugural episode of Saltlick Sessions, we expose the crisis threatening to bankrupt the agricultural sector and destroy national food security. South Africa is currently battling a massive Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak that is spreading unchecked through dairy and beef herds.

We sit down with Emma Niland (Intelact) and Grant Tracy (Game Capture Specialist) to expose the raw reality on the ground.

The Reality Check:

The "White Man's Disease" Myth: How labeling FMD a "dairy issue" caused complacency, allowing it to spread to communal herds and across the country.

Government Failure: The State has a monopoly on vaccines but zero inventory. Farmers are legally banned from buying their own vaccines to protect their herds.

The Vaccine Lie: We need 56 million doses to cover the national herd. The government promised 12,000 doses by mid-February—enough for maybe two farms.

Economic Collapse: Infected animals lose almost all value. Farmers are forced to sell cattle for R1,000 (approx. $50/head) to FMD abattoirs just to survive.

Biosecurity Nightmare: With no fences in communal areas, cattle roam free on public roads, making containment nearly impossible.

This isn't just about cows. This is about national food security, gross incompetence, and the destruction of the farming economy.

Agree or disagree? Sound off in the comments.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
02:19 - What is FMD (Foot-and-Mouth Disease)
05:43 - How Does FMD Spread
08:50 - Lethality of FMD Outbreaks
12:00 - Origins of the FMD Outbreak
13:53 - Farmers' Experiences with FMD
15:47 - Severity of FMD Spread
16:40 - Lack of Public Awareness about FMD
18:34 - Vaccine Process for FMD
27:30 - Importance of Biosecurity Measures
32:36 - Impact of FMD on Wildlife Industry
35:28 - Reporting FMD Outbreaks by Game Breeders
39:31 - Buffalo Blood Test for FMD Detection
46:13 - Biosecurity Protocols
51:10 - Vaccine Rollout Plan for FMD
56:38 - Export Implications of FMD Vaccination
58:38 - Sending Infected Animals to Abattoirs
01:01:42 - Economic Impacts of FMD Outbreak
01:05:17 - Trusting Government Response to FMD
01:06:44 - FMD's Impact on Game Industry
01:10:33 - Value of Game Animals Amid FMD
01:14:20 - Potential Impact on Safari Industry
01:19:16 - Movement Control and Biosecurity Measures
01:21:51 - Risk of a Second Wave of FMD
01:23:55 - Privatization of FMD Vaccines
01:26:14 - Is There an End in Sight for FMD?
01:31:08 - How People Can Help with FMD
01:32:57 - Closing Thoughts on FMD