Agri SA chairperson Jaco Minaar welcomed the news, expressing his support for the new faculty. “The establishment of a Faculty of Veterinary Science at UFS is a significant development for the agricultural sector,” he said.
Dr Bobbie van der Westhuizen, newly appointed general manager of SA Stud Book, highlighted the impact this would have on the industry.
“This is a huge advantage for the animal industry, especially in the central part of South Africa. We congratulate UFS on securing the rights to open a veterinary school in the Free State,” he said.
The faculty is expected to become operational by 2027, providing essential veterinary education and services to the region.
In addition to this announcement, FSA is celebrating its 120th year of existence. At the annual congress, FSA chairperson Francois Wilken reflected on the organisation’s history, stating: “FSA has supported its members through good and bad times, playing an integral role in agricultural development through two world wars and the Great Depression (1929-1939).”
James Faber, chairperson of the South African Red Meat Producers Organisation, said the new veterinarian faculty was of vital importance for the country’s livestock producers, especially in provinces such as North West, Northern Cape and the Free State.
These areas experienced a serious shortage of veterinarians, especially in large animal practices.
“This announcement came as a welcome bonus to us. We need more veterinarians, especially in the light of the biosecurity problems we are struggling with at the moment. An increased number of veterinarians will also benefit the entire SADC region and will add significantly to the improvement of our bordering countries’ animal health status,” he told Farmer’s Weekly.
Naude Pienaar, assistant general manager of Agri North West, also emphasised the negative impact of the relatively low number of private and/or state veterinarians available in South Africa had on the livestock industry, especially in rural areas.
“This truly sometimes is a matter of life and death, and could in the long term have a direct impact on the sustainability of livestock production in deep rural areas. The lack of veterinarians is, in my opinion, probably the second biggest problem producers face, next to stock theft. We therefore welcome the announcement by the University of the Free State, said Pienaar.
