The last 14 days have marked the most significant shift in South Africa’s animal health policy in over a decade. Moving away from temporary crisis management, the Ministry of Agriculture has executed a rapid-fire sequence of strategic moves—linking long-term planning with immediate industrial action and global scientific verification.
14 January: The 10-Year Roadmap Launch
The offensive began on January 14, when Minister John Steenhuisen unveiled a sophisticated 10-year roadmap to restore South Africa’s Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)-free status. This strategy introduced a phased “exit ramp” from the crisis, beginning with a two-year stabilisation phase aimed at slashing outbreak incidents by 70% through mass vaccination.
21 January: The Industry Council Takes the Reins
Recognising that government cannot resolve the crisis in isolation, the Minister formally appointed the FMD Industry Coordination Council on January 21. This “engine room” of nine specialists held its first formal meeting that same day to align private-sector operations with the national roadmap.
The council brings together a heavy-hitting lineup of industry leaders:
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Johann Kotzé (Agri SA), Bennie van Zyl (TLU SA), and Theo Boshoff (Agbiz).
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Dr. Frikkie Maré (RPO), Fanie Ferreira (MPO), and Dr. Marlene Louw (SAPPO).
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Dewald Olivier (RMIS), Kobus Bester (Simbra), and Bongani Msimang (Industry Representative).
23 January: The Scientific Breakthrough
The most recent development occurred on 23 January, with the official announcement that South Africa has resumed submitting FMD field strains to the Pirbright Institute in the UK for the first time since 2011. As the World Reference Laboratory, Pirbright’s role is vital: they will test if the millions of vaccine doses being procured—from Argentina, Turkey, and Botswana—actually “match” the specific virus strains currently circulating in South African soil.
Minister Steenhuisen used this update to caution against “fake news” regarding the shipment, confirming that strains were correctly delivered to the administrative receiving point and are being triaged for testing.
The Road Ahead
February and Beyond The timeline now shifts toward implementation. Mid-February will see the arrival of one million doses from Biogénesis Bagó (Argentina) and 1.5 million doses from Dollvet (Turkey). Simultaneously, the ARC will contribute 12,000 doses locally, scaling up to a massive 960,000-dose capacity.
By connecting a clear 10-year vision with the operational muscle of the Industry Council and the scientific backing of the world’s leading laboratory, the path to an FMD-free South Africa is no longer just a plan—it is a coordinated reality.