The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, has indicated a potential policy reversal regarding the vaccination of livestock, considering allowing farmers to purchase vaccines. The proposal comes in response to budgetary constraints affecting the availability of vaccines to combat the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak.
In a statement during the plenary sitting on February 1, 2024, Tumwebaze explained that the current policy, providing vaccines as a public good, has fallen short, covering only 1.1% of the susceptible domestic animal population instead of the recommended 80%. With an estimated 44 million animals needing vaccination, the financial requirement stands at USD$176 million for bi-annual vaccinations.
To address the financial strain on the national budget, the government is contemplating policy options, including cost-sharing. A Cabinet Paper is set for discussion on February 5, 2024, to explore these alternatives. Tumwebaze highlighted the challenges associated with procuring FMD vaccines, emphasizing the need for a more sustainable approach.
In the interim, MAAIF has repurposed its development budget, providing 2.6 million vaccine doses to 94 districts, with an additional 2.3 million doses expected soon. The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) is also working on formulating an FMD vaccine, pending evaluation and scrutiny by the National Drug Authority.
The minister proposed a supplementary budget to procure 10 million doses, covering affected and high-risk districts, and supporting district veterinary officers with surveillance tools. The implementation plan includes quarantine restrictions, ongoing surveillance, and coordinated distribution and vaccinations to control FMD and resume animal trade.
Parliament members welcomed the policy reversal proposal and the request for supplementary budget allocation. Suggestions included regulating vaccine importation to ensure availability and promptly approving the supplementary budget due to the urgent need for mass vaccination.
Concerns were raised about the lengthy approval process affecting animals currently under quarantine. Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa granted the minister until February 8, 2024, to update Parliament on Cabinet’s stance on policy reversal and the Ministry of Finance’s position on the supplementary request.
