Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has reiterated his sympathy with farmers across South Africa facing “immense hardship” as they continue to battle one of the most persistent and damaging scourges of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in decades.

The Minister emphasises in a statement issued on November 28 that he hears the cries of farmers, mostly dairy farmers in KwaZulu-Natal, who have suffered losses, movement restrictions and severe disruptions to their livelihoods, particularly in districts such as Kokstad, Dundee, Underberg and Dannhauser, where new cases continue to emerge.

“I want our farmers to know that I see the impact this outbreak is having on their families, their businesses and their communities. I understand their frustration, and I share their determination to end this crisis,” he states.

KwaZulu-Natal remains the epicentre of FMD, with 180 of the 274 unresolved outbreaks reported nationally.

Despite the vaccination of 931 200 animals with government-procured vaccine stocks over the last three months, uncontrolled animal movement continues to undermine containment efforts and prolongs the crisis.

Steenhuisen notes that while important progress has been made, the current trajectory is not acceptable.

“We must be honest with the public and with our farming sector. This is a battle we are currently not winning. For this reason, we are now significantly strengthening our approach to regain control of the situation.”

Recent outbreaks in the Kokstad area have prompted intensified vaccination in Estcourt and targeted preventive efforts in surrounding zones.

Alongside these interventions, the Department of Agriculture (DoA) has introduced limited relief measures for compliant farmers within the disease management areas, including permitting milk for local consumption following single pasteurisation.

Steenhuisen also appreciates the efforts of industry players such as the Red Meat Industry Services and the Milk Producers Organisation (MPO), which have stepped forward with tangible contributions.

The MPO has bought 50 000 vaccine doses to roll out to dairy farmers across KwaZulu-Natal, which Steenhuisen says are the type of partnerships that South Africa needs.

To date, dairy farms in Bergville, Estcourt, Winterton, Dundee and Spioenkop Dam, in KwaZulu-Natal have received 3 000, 2 500, 1 500, 4 000 and 5 000 FMD vaccine doses, respectively.

By February next year, the DoA aims to take delivery of two-million doses of FMD vaccines in two separate consignments.

To reduce dependence on imported vaccines, a new mid-scale vaccine production facility is being established as part of the national biosecurity strengthening programme.

The aim is that between government and industry, an additional 1.5-million doses will be made available.

The DoA has resolved to implement a comprehensive strategy to vaccinate the entire national herd. “This initiative will position us to apply to the World Organisation of Animal Health for recognition of freedom with vaccination status,” Steenhuisen explains.

He adds that this strategy aims to vaccinate South Africa’s national herd systematically, beginning with the hardest-hit provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga and North West, which will submit their livestock numbers and their number of quarantined farms.  

This plan, however, will rely on a consistent, high-quality vaccine supply.

To this end, Steenhuisen confirms that government is working closely with the Onderstepoort Biological Products and the Agricultural Research Council on the formalisation of public-private partnerships with domestic industry and international partners, including China and Argentina, who have already offered technical cooperation and support regarding vaccine provision.

Steenhuisen further stresses that the success of the FMD response depends not only on vaccines but also on law enforcement. “Uncontrolled movement of animals remains the single biggest threat to the national containment efforts,” he states.

He affirms that he and the DoA remain committed to stand with farmers and communities during this difficult period, including to rebuild resilience in the livestock industry.

“We are also committed to improving our laboratory capacity to ensure that samples collected are analysed quickly and results are communicated timeously,” the Minister adds.

This strengthened response against FMD forms part of the broader agricultural recovery programme of the DoA and aligns with the Minister’s ongoing commitment to safeguard animal health, protect rural economies and ensure long-term biosecurity preparedness.