AGRICULTURE NEWS - At the end of an official letter to the beleaguered Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, the Chairperson of the South African Feedlot Association, Estelle van Reenen writes "it is regrettable that there is currently so much negative publicity surrounding foot-and-mouth disease and that the issue is often used as a political football".

Van Reenen, the CEO of the Sparta Beef Group, then adds that the most important message that must be communicated to the public is that South African beef remains 100% safe for human consumption.

In the letter with the subject line, Appreciation for the allocation of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines, dated 3 June and shared yesterday 9 June by Steenhuisen on the social media platform X.com, Van Reenen expresses her sincere appreciation on behalf of the association for the allocation of additional foot-and-mouth disease vaccines.

Feedlot sector taking strain

She writes that the feedlot sector has suffered significant losses as a result of FMD outbreaks, but that feedlots will now be able to vaccinate calves upon purchase, which will assist all producers in marketing their calves more effectively and provide direct benefits to farmers.

Van Reenen tells the minister it is essential that the red meat value chain be stabilised as instability undermines market confidence and may encourage consumers to seek alternative protein sources.

"Food security remains of critical importance to South Africa, and feedlots currently produce approximately 70% of the country's beef supply."

The CEO of the Sparta Group and Chairperson of the South African Feedlot Association, Estelle van Reenen. Photo: Sparta Beef Facebook 

Cooperation all important

She says if sufficient quantities of vaccine continue to be made available, the vaccination campaign has a realistic opportunity to succeed.

"However, continued cooperation between government and the private sector will remain essential in achieving the desired outcomes.

"A well-coordinated, controlled, and sustainable vaccination programme is also critical to reopening and expanding export opportunities. Exports are of significant importance to the entire red meat value chain, as the benefits extend throughout the industry and contribute to long-term sector growth. As the saying goes, 'A rising tide lifts all ships', she writes.

Read her full letter below.

Steenhuisen makes letter public

Steenhuisen yesterday shared Van Reenen's letter on his X platform, @jsteenhuisen, with the following post: 

"Thank you to the SA Feedlot Association, RMIS, MPO, RPO, AgriSA, AFASA, Stud Breeders Association, TLU SA, SAPPO, the MTT, the ICC, GrainSA and to all other industry players not related to FMD for your engagement, support and advice this past year and a half. Together we will defeat FMD."

Not popular with all

But even this positive post drew criticism from X users, previously known as twitterati, as Steenhuisen has been attacked for his handling of the FMD outbreak; lost the subsequent courtcase about farmers' right to buy and administer vaccines; and is now also facing an email scandal in his ministry. 

In another, not so happy post on X yesterday, Steenhuisen responded to the public outcry following the publication of a leaked email containing a perceived disrespectful comment by his Chief of Staff, Jana le Roux. 

In the email that she forwarded, a farmer organisation, FMD Response SA, requests a closer working relationship with the department.

Forwarding the e-mail to departmental top brass, Le Roux added her own fateful message: "Attached just received for some amusement...".

Steenhuisen did not name Le Roux in his post, but said the email from a "ministry staff member" was in bad taste. He said he had requested "the person concerned" to apologise to the respective parties.

Steenhuisen's Chief of Staff, Jana le Roux Photo: Linkedin

X users lash out

But, most of the X users did not respond kindly to Steenhuisen's post, with many calling for him to resign and for Le Roux to be fired.

@Dllywellynlewis posted: "This isn't just bad taste, it is absolute contempt for the people feeding this country. Empty apologies don't fix the sheer arrogance and administrative failure choking our agricultural sector. I expected better from you John."

Hidden in the avalanche of negative and insulting comments directed at Steenhuisen, this post from @johannesmollerh struck a different tone: "I noticed all the negative comments on John's Twitter account. Who are these people. I agree that this is an organized smear campaign. You lot all get a life. Enough already."‘

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