Agriculture blamed for lack of vaccines

By Charles Wendo THE Uganda Veterinary Association (UVA) has blamed the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries over the shortage of livestock vacines in the country. Dr. Ben Asimwe, President of UVA, said the ministry is frustrating the modernisation of livestock production by failing to provide vaccines. He said cattle foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease had broken out in parts of the country but there are no vaccines. The latest oubreak of foot-and-mouth disasewas in Mbarara, where a quarantine is currently in force. Speaking in an exclusive interview with The New Vision, Asimwe said there is no way Uganda will modernise agriculture without implementing basic disease control measures such as vaccination. "Every time farmers come to me for vaccination, I look at them in the eyes and say, 'sorry I can not help you.' We cannot keep doing this," he said. "The cows are dying, what are you modernising?" he asked. Asimwe said Ugandan meat cannot be accepted on international markets because of the high prevalence of livestock diseases here. Disease control, he said, would broaden the foreign exchange base because it would enable Uganda export meat. Dr. Erastus Rwamushwa the Commissioner for Livestock Health and Entomology, last week said the veterinary department had asked for funds to buy vaccines against foot-and-mouth disease. Asimwe said, "I don't understand why there is no money for vaccines. Without agriculture there would be no food, no meat and no milk." He also urged the ministry to establish a drug policy and register all veterinary doctors to streamline the provision of veterinary services. This is likely to ensure timely supply of drugs and servces. Ends