Top veterinarian critical of FMD response removed from task team for state-controlled diseases

The fragile relationship between South Africa’s agricultural sector and the government has fractured further following the abrupt removal of Dr. Danie Odendaal from the ministerial task team on animal health.

The dismissal, executed by Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen, has sparked a firestorm of criticism from industry bodies and political opposition.

They allege that the move is a calculated attempt to silence a whistleblower rather than a procedural administrative decision.

The official narrative provided by the Department of Agriculture is bureaucratic in nature. In a formal letter, Minister Steenhuisen informed Odendaal that his membership was terminated “with immediate effect”.

The stated reason was Odendaal’s failure to sign a mandatory Declaration of Impartiality and Confidentiality.

On paper, this presents the dismissal as a matter of compliance, a failure to adhere to the governance standards required of state advisors.

However, stakeholders within the agricultural community argue that this explanation is a thin veil covering a more punitive motive.

Dr. Odendaal is regarded as a leading authority on infectious diseases, having served on every ministerial task team regarding foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) since 2016.

Odendaal has been increasingly vocal, utilising platforms like Facebook to openly critique the state’s hesitant actions and specifically address issues surrounding vaccine procurement.

The criticism in question relates to the government’s handling of the foot-and-mouth disease crisis, which has devastated livestock farmers.

His removal has been interpreted by the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) as a direct blow to the country’s ability to manage the spreading disease.

Dr. Wynand Boshoff, the FF Plus spokesperson on agriculture, noted that Odendaal’s expertise is “beyond question” and suggested that the dismissal was retributive.

According to Boshoff, the timing is suspicious, creating the impression that the government acted “more by his criticism than any genuine concern that he might breach confidentiality.”

‘He was punished for speaking the truth’

The Southern Africa Agri-Initiative (Saai) has been even more vociferous in its condemnation, framing the dismissal as a purge of independent voices.

Theo de Jager, chairman of the board of Saai, described Odendaal as a man who “spoke the truth, regardless of the consequences”.

De Jager told Maroela Media that the dismissal serves as a warning to other experts: anyone who prioritises the interests of farmers over party politics or the reputation of senior civil servants will be “isolated and targeted”.

Central to the backlash are the specific revelations Odendaal made prior to his removal.

He shared his views on significant failures in the state’s vaccine strategy, pointing out that a new South African vaccine registered as far back as 2022 was never manufactured by the state, a failure that arguably cost thousands of farming businesses their viability.

Furthermore, Odendaal alleged that the government undermined commercial agreements between Biogenesis Bago and Design Biologics, attempting to “hijack” the deal contrary to the Minister’s own undertakings.

Perhaps most damning was his characterisation of the task force itself as a “farce and a smokescreen,” alleging that senior department officials routinely ignored its recommendations and failed to attend meetings.

The fallout from this decision has placed the Minister’s Industry Council under immense pressure.

Critics argue that demanding a confidentiality agreement from experts serves to hide incompetence rather than protect state secrets.

De Jager noted the irony that while Odendaal has been fired for refusing to sign a “veil of secrecy,” not a single senior official responsible for the loss of South Africa’s FMD-free status has faced a disciplinary hearing.

Newsday contacted the Department of Agriculture for comment, but did not receive a response by time of publication. Comment will be added if received.