In a landmark update on 14 January, Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen signalled a turning point in South Africa’s fight against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). Moving beyond simple containment, the Minister unveiled a sophisticated, multi-billion rand roadmap designed to restore South Africa to its rightful place as a global leader in livestock trade. The strategy is not just about control—it is about a permanent return to a disease-free status that protects our R80 billion industry.
The Roadmap to Freedom: A Phased Success Plan
Minister Steenhuisen’s 10-year strategy provides the first-ever clear “exit ramp” from the FMD crisis. By breaking the recovery into manageable phases, the plan offers a realistic path to success:
-
Stabilisation (Years 1–2): A high-impact mass vaccination campaign aims to slash outbreak incidents by over 70% within the first 12 months.
-
Consolidation (Years 3–4): The creation of “protection zones” and “buffer areas” to safeguard the export potential of provinces like the Western and Northern Cape.
-
National Freedom (Years 7–10): The systematic withdrawal of vaccination, culminating in final recognition from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
To ensure transparency and scientific excellence, a 25-member Ministerial Advisory Task Team, featuring the nation’s top veterinary and industry specialists, is now at the helm to guide every decision.
“No More Fighting in the Dark”: The Digital Revolution
The most exciting shift is the move toward a digital-first agricultural sector. The Minister announced that South Africa is no longer guessing where the virus is. Through the RMIS Movement App and the Livestock Identification and Traceability System (LITS), the Department has launched a real-time digital heatmap.
This platform allows for precision tracking of every vaccinated animal and monitors outbreaks within a 10km radius. To support this, the Minister is fast-tracking legislative updates to the Animal Identification Act, paving the way for mandatory electronic identification. This modern approach will replace old paper trails with high-tech geolocation, ensuring that compliant farmers are protected from the risks of illegal livestock trade.
Securing the Global Vaccine Pipeline
The “ammunition” for this war is arriving in record numbers. Minister Steenhuisen has successfully diversified South Africa’s vaccine sources to ensure a reliable, high-potency supply:
-
Argentina Partnership: One million doses of top-tier trivalent vaccine from Biogénesis Bagó are ready for shipment, with five million more secured by March.
-
Regional Strength: The Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) is delivering one million doses monthly, specifically targeting SAT 2 hotspots.
-
Local Resilience: The ARC and OBP are ramping up domestic production to 20,000 doses weekly, proving that South Africa is reclaiming its vaccine manufacturing sovereignty.
A Unified Front for Farmers
The request for a National State of Disaster is a strategic move to unlock resources—bringing in the SAPS and SANDF not to punish farmers, but to protect them. By securing transit corridors and enforcing movement laws, the government is ensuring that the efforts of responsible producers are not undermined by a few bad actors.
“By protecting our national herd, we are protecting our future,” Steenhuisen concluded. With R1.8 billion prioritised and a 25-expert task team leading the way, the message to South African farmers is clear: help is here, the plan is sound, and the road to an FMD-free South Africa has officially begun.