As South Africa continues to battle a relentless wave of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks, the agricultural sector is holding its breath for a crucial National FMD Indaba scheduled for July 21st and 22nd at the ARC-VIMP Campus in Roodeplaat. This high-level gathering, co-hosted by the Department of Agriculture (DoA) and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), alongside the University of Pretoria and Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP), is set to bring together the nation’s leading veterinary and agricultural minds to confront a crisis that has already inflicted billions in damages.
A Crisis Point for South African Agriculture
On 16 July 2025 our publication highlighted the escalating FMD crisis, with the latest confirmed outbreak in the Free State adding to the growing list of affected provinces including KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Gauteng. The spread of this highly contagious viral disease, traditionally endemic to African buffalo in and around the Kruger National Park, has been exacerbated by factors such as illegal animal movements and inadequate biosecurity, as tragically demonstrated by the May 2025 outbreak at Karan Beef’s Heidelberg facility – one of the world’s largest feedlots. This singular event led to immediate trade suspensions from key markets and underscored the systemic vulnerabilities plaguing our animal health management.
Unresolved Outbreaks Highlight Urgency
With a staggering 270 FMD outbreaks reported across five provinces as of July 2025, and 249 of these remaining unresolved, the urgency of this Indaba cannot be overstated. The Minister of Agriculture, Mr. John Steenhuisen, and Deputy Minister, Ms. Nokuzola Capa, will be at the forefront, aiming to galvanise a unified response from industry stakeholders to develop long-term, sustainable solutions for FMD eradication.
Key Strategies on the Agenda
The agenda for the two-day event will focus on critical interventions, including the strengthening of farm-level biosecurity measures – a persistent challenge across the value chain. Effective vaccination programmes will also be a key discussion point, especially given the government’s recent procurement of over 900,000 vaccine doses, with a further order on the way and a provisional budget of R1.2 billion for the upcoming financial year. Furthermore, the enforcement of stringent animal movement restrictions will be high on the list, a measure that our previous reporting has shown to be frequently disregarded, leading to rapid disease dissemination.
A Pivotal Moment for the Livestock Sector
This Indaba represents a pivotal moment for South Africa’s livestock sector. The persistent FMD outbreaks have not only restricted livestock movement but have also dealt a severe blow to our international red meat trade, threatening the livelihoods of countless farmers and impacting the broader economy. By fostering strong partnerships between government, academia, and industry, this collaborative effort aims to forge precise and effective measures.
The goal is clear: to eradicate this devastating disease and secure the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s vital agricultural sector. All eyes will be on Roodeplaat next week as the industry hopes for a decisive path forward.