OPENING ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND LAND AFFAIRS, HON.LULU XINGWANA (MP)

ONDERSTEPOORT CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

ONDERSTEPOORT
PRETORIA
7TH OCTOBER 2008

The Programme Director
The Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs,Hon Dirk Du Toit
Members of the Executive Councils responsible for Agriculture
Chairperson of the ARC Board; Ms Jean Davidson
Chairperson of the OBP Board: Ms Nozi Shabalala
The Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary science; Prof Jerry Swan
The President of the South African Veterinary Council ;Dr Rebone Moerane
CEOs from the Onderstepoort complex;Dr Shadrack Moephuli and Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele
The Directors General of Agriculture Ms Njabulo Nduli and for Land Affairs Mr. Tozi Gwanya
The Heads of Departments of Agriculture and senior government officials present here today
Chairperson of the Black Veterinary Forum; Dr Alfred Kgasi
The President of the South African Veterinary Association; Dr Clyde Marwick
Senior officials and staff from the Onderstepoort complex
International guests
Members of the South African Veterinary Association
Veterinary researchers
Private veterinarians
Veterinary students
Ladies and Gentlemen

It is my pleasure to be here during this important event on research and innovation in the animal health sector in Africa. I realize the important role played by the Onderstepoort complex in the diagnosis, treatment and eradication of animal diseases. The livestock industry both locally and internationally have to a large extent benefited from the services of this complex

I warmly welcome this initiative by the complex, which brings together key partners in the animal health arena of the agricultural sector, namely governments, veterinarians and international institutions.

We have seen recently outbreaks of animal diseases worldwide. In some areas we have seen disease outbreaks in areas where they never occurred. This Ladies and gentlemen, tells us a lot in terms of having to look into various factors which might be contributing to this current situation. We will indeed need researchers who can look into some of these outbreaks.

Since 2000, Southern Africa has however experienced increased outbreaks of trans-boundary animal diseases, the most prominent of which were Foot and Mouth Disease, Lung-sickness, African and Classical Swine Fevers. These outbreaks are a good indication that we cannot rest on our laurels and that Onderstepoort complex is needed.

We also saw outbreaks of Foot and Mouth disease and Blue tongue in Europe. During the outbreak of Foot and mouth Diseases in the United Kingdom, South Africans had an opportunity to participate in controlling the outbreak. Recently when the European Union had their first incursion of Blue tongue, our expertise was called upon to assist with that fight, a great achievement for a developing country.

Programme Director, I am hoping that we still have that scientific knowledge. This requires us to look after our resources. We have to ensure that we retain quality scientists like Arnold Theiler and Jetello Soga.

Africa and the world need these discoveries and a willingness to share the benefits of our discoveries with one another, but also to impart our knowledge to those that need it in order to best strengthen our efforts towards our common interest of eradicating and controlling animal diseases.

Africa’s ongoing success in combating animal diseases over years is well documented. Today we are celebrating that great achievement, over 100 years of continued involvement and commitment to the noble objective of detecting, identification, monitoring and controlling animal diseases. We are honouring the work started by the complex to combat one of the most devastating animal epidemics, Rinderpest.

Out of that challenge the Onderstepoort Complex was established. Today this complex is internationally renowned for its research on diseases specific to Africa, and the development of vaccines for efficient prevention and management of such diseases. This includes the recognition by the World Organisation for Animal Health as a reference laboratory for Foot and Mouth Disease and as a collaborating centre for Avian Influenza.

The intention of this occasion is to celebrate accomplishments of the past century but also to look into the future challenges and plan the way forward. Onderstepoort contribution to the economic growth, development and food security of the country is certainly inestimable. The benefit from the research, diagnostic services, vaccines and veterinary training in the region played a vital role, and still does so today.

Programme Director, we have a challenge. A challenge of training Veterinarians and ensuring that they stay in the country and serve like the earlier scientists. I am informed that there are very few scientists who enter into the research arena. Specialist Veterinarian are few and some have retired. This require us to come up with a very good strategy within the coming few months to deal with the current challenges.

In the South African situation, we have a challenge that we are not in a position to attract Veterinarians to the more rural areas of the country. Training of black Veterinarians in our new amalgamated faculty is still a problem. Most of our Veterinarians who train from the Oderstepoort Faculty leave the country for other countries. As scientists in this complex, we would need to come up with a solution to ensure that we retain scientists in the complex and in addition we work with other African institution, to ensure that we produce quality Veterinarians in Africa.

Africa as well as the world is faced with persistent levels of poverty and underdevelopment. We are all aware of the contribution that the livestock industry is capable of making to alleviate this poverty. Today we are facing a serious rapid rise of food prices which could be ascribed to a number of different reasons including trade blocks instituted by various countries, climate change, drought in grain exporting countries and use of grains in bio-fuel production. There is therefore an increase in the number of people who cannot afford to purchase food especially here in Africa. We have agreed through the NEPAD –CAADP response that the complex causes of the current escalating food prices require a comprehensive response.

People in the rural areas of our country are still getting infected with diseases which can be prevented. Diseases like Rabies and Anthrax are still a problem. In central Africa, we saw outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever which led to many people dying. We know that the hub and knowledge for tropical diseases is here in Africa. Thus we must jealously guard all these resources. African scientists should be in a position to continue with their work and find answers to recent challenges. This means that we have to invest in agricultural research and human capacity to ensure that our scientists stay with us.

In 2004, African Heads of State made a declaration in Maputo of allocating 10% of their national budgets to agriculture and rural development. It is my wish that whatever we do in Africa, related to our competencies in the livestock sector, we do all in our power to consider the challenges mentioned above and develop appropriate technologies that will help eliminate the scourge of animal diseases so that we play our part in ensuring that the UN Millennium Development Goals, which amongst others promise to half poverty and hunger by 2015 are achieved. We can speed up attainment of these goals by implementing our programmes of the New Partnership for Africa's Development of Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme.

In the development of these technologies we should particularly consider the impact of climate change on future occurrence of animal diseases and develop strategies to minimize this impact. This will help to a great extend in alleviating poverty and hunger by ensuring that there are enough animal products in the market.

Recent events of animal disease outbreaks including occurrence of BSE in Europe and other countries have also resulted in a situation that consumers are now more careful with what they eat. These outbreaks have influenced consumption patterns. In Africa if we do not move swiftly, we are going to see our products getting out of some of the markets. We will have to educate our consumers in order as to ensure that they can make various choices. This means that our systems should adapt to the current challenges. We will need good scientists who are in a position to guide policy development.

The basic work performed by Sir Arnold Theiler formed the foundation of the Pan African Rinderpest Campaign and the success we see today with Rinderpest almost eradicated from the world. Thus we should not loose sight of that. We must attract young Veterinarians into research.

Programme Director, diseases know no borders. We need to utilize the opportunity of working with international organisation like the World Organisation of Animal Health (OIE – Office international epizootes). Their work and effort of assisting developing countries need to be honoured. It is up to us the developing countries to work together and ensure that we understand the opportunities before us. The OIE is also working hard to keep up to date. They have now announced the review of their strategic plan for 2011 – 2015 which will focus on topics such as:
• Activities for addressing global issues including “one world one health”, climate change and food security,
• Reinforcing the OIE role in strengthening the activities of member services,
• Reinforcement of the OIE network in the regions and sub-regions
• Increasing the communication efforts of the OIE.

Indeed as African member states we need to review how we operate at this important standard setting body. Our scientists should be in a position to advice policy makers. Animal products from Africa will not be able to enter the international market if we do not get our house in order soon. We have seen at the OIE level that there are regional blocks emerging. Our participation at this world organisation need to be strengthened. We have noted also the inability to reach agreement at the WTO. Today we are dealing with tariffs and with the growing private standards instituted by the supermarket chains and retailers, we would have to move fast. Trade facilitation can contribute to food security and job creation. Thus I am happy that the OIE will be looking also into climate change and food security. It is really important that the OIE should also look into the control of some of the animal diseases which impacts negatively into genetic resources conservation. I believe that if we do not do that we are going to deplete our genetic resources.

Last night the SA National Veterinary Museum was officially opened and I hope that this center will be the people center. It is unfortunate that the Mayor of Tshwane, Dr Gwen Ramokgopa is not here but we will ensure that this national asset become known to the public. Our African scientists should recognize the history and the heritage which comes out of this institution. Historians should be able to capture the importance and the history of veterinary science properly.

I would like to thank the organizing committee for deciding to honor also this first African born Veterinarian, Dr Jetello Soga. His work on Rinderpest should go down the South African history books. I also wish to thank his family for being with us today and celebrate this important day in Veterinary science. Clearly the discussions for this coming two days, will also have to focus on what needs to be done to ensure that the spirit of good science in the institution is restored.

This again emphasizes the utmost importance of this complex and their continued commitment to support livestock production in Africa. I urge this hub of Veterinary excellence to focus on addressing animal health challenges in the livestock sector, with specific focus on the emerging sector, while still giving sufficient attention to the already developed farmers. This should include all aspects of veterinary science training, research, product development and diagnostic services of the highest quality. Joint cooperative effort of all expertise gathered here today to celebrate this great occasion can achieve this in the interest of the economic goals of the country, the region and the continent.

In conclusion, we have this opportunity of review the past and come up with the future. Africa needs you all to ensure that we improve their livestock sector. We need to take the Onderstepoort complex, other existing institute in Africa, as well as the livestock sector forward in a coordinated manner in order to:

• Contribute positively towards rural development.
• Take up the challenges of climate change
• Take up the challenge of rising food prices
• Ensure food safety
• Improve on their innovation in general to:
o strengthen disease surveillance and diagnostics;
o develop much-needed capacity in human and veterinary health systems;
o Ensure access to veterinary medicines and vaccines
o Increase public awareness

I wish you all the best for your deliberations during the conference.

Thank you.