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The R80 billion national livestock industry is facing a serious threat from the Food and Mouth Disease (FMD) that has been ravaging the country since 2019. The outbreak has spread throughout all provinces except for one, and it will take 10 years to achieve an FMD free status in the country.
By far, almost two million animals have been vaccinated since the recent outbreak. The National Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has targeted areas where the outbreak is rife and needed the most immediate attention. The most affected areas that have been vaccinated include:
SAT2 FMD outbreaks in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North West, Gauteng and Free State; • SAT1 FMD outbreak in KwaZulu-Natal; • SAT3 FMD and SAT2 FMD outbreaks in Eastern Cape; • Western Cape reported one outbreak: There is targeted active surveillance which commenced in May 2025; and • Limpopo had SAT3 FMD outbreaks on eight properties in 2021 and recently they had three outbreaks.
The Minister for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Mr John Steenhuisen, said to achieve an FMD free status is a challenging task that will take a decade, however, the department has a plan in place that will be rolled out in phases.
“I must be frank with the nation: achieving FMD-free status is a monumental task that will not happen overnight. Our strategy will be phased over ten years, beginning with stabilisation and consolidation, before moving toward the eventual withdrawal of vaccination and final recognition of national freedom through vaccination by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
This is a long-term commitment to the health of our economy and the security of our food supply. I need to emphasise that vaccination is not a silver bullet to eradicate or manage this disease. It is merely one of the tools that can and should be used to combat FMD,” said Steenhuisen.
The outbreak is a threat to the country’s economy and food security, commercial and communal farmers are feeling the brunt of the outbreak in their pockets with the daily losses they are experiencing. A number of them have called on the minister and his advisory team to move with speed in aiding them from the epidemic.
Steenhuisen said he is responding to the outcries by the farmers and is targeting high-risk zones first.
“We are prioritising high-risk zones, with the goal of reaching at least 80% coverage in targeted cattle populations, especially in the communal areas and up to 100% in feedlots and dairy cows. The objective is to reduce outbreak incidence within 12 months by more than 70% in the high-risk provinces through systematic vaccination and preserve FMD-free provinces through buffer vaccination and strict movement controls.
High-quality vaccines with high potency will be used during the campaign, especially trivalent vaccines of SAT1, SAT 2, and SAT 3 currently circulating in South Africa. Partnerships with global leaders like Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina will ensure that we have a reliable supply, with one million doses ready to be sent as soon as the necessary permits are issued.
The company indicated that, as soon as the permits are issued, they are able to supply the vaccine in the coming two weeks. We are currently preparing the application for authorisation by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) to use an unregistered medicine under Section 21 of Act 101. This application will be filed by Monday. Biogénesis will also be able to supply an additional five million doses by March 2026,” said Minister John Steenhuisen.
The Minister further appealed to farmers to report cases to State Veterinarians, he affirmed that government has a detailed plan that will be implemented in all provinces to cap the spread of FMD.
“I want to make it clear that the detailed plan will be shared with MECs, provincial veterinarians, Cabinet Ministers and industry leaders. We will be depending on industry, including private veterinarians together with Government to ensure implementation of the plan is executed country wide.
By protecting our national herd, we are protecting our future. I ask for your patience, your partnership, and your unwavering support as we implement this scientifically backed plan to restore South Africa to its rightful place as a leader in global livestock trade. Together, we can ensure a resilient and FMD-free South Africa,” he said.
