With numerous foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks across the West Rand, the provincial legislature has intensified the national response.

Recently, the Select Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Mineral Resources and the Gauteng Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development (EARD) held a workshop to address this issue.

Vaccine rollout and preparedness under the spotlight

According to the chairperson of EARD, Jaco Mulder, they welcomed 1.5 million doses of the FMD vaccine, which he described as a significant milestone in stabilising vaccine supply and strengthening the country’s containment strategy.

“Discussions during the workshop focused on vaccination rollout plans, livestock movement controls, the socio-economic impact of the outbreak on farmers, and the need for tighter coordination and accountability across all spheres of government,” Mulder said.

He added that while they welcomed the vaccine, they remain concerned about whether the province is prepared to implement the vaccination campaign effectively.

“Addressing FMD requires more than reactive containment measures and emphasises the importance of tackling the root causes of recurring outbreaks, particularly in areas bordering game reserves where buffalo, recognised carriers of FMD, are present. Effective engagement with game reserve owners, improved fencing controls, and collaboration with surrounding communities were identified as essential to preventing further transmission,” he continued.

They also identified specific challenges faced by communal farmers, with Mulder noting that containment and quarantine measures are often harder to implement compared to the commercial farming sector.

“Tailored support interventions and improved coordination at the local level will be crucial in limiting the spread of the disease,” Mulder mentioned.

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Law enforcement and veterinary capacity concerns

“Law enforcement capacity emerged as another urgent concern. Reports indicate that cattle are being transported over long distances to auctions without adequate monitoring. The committees called on provinces to activate FMD joint stakeholder committees to strengthen daily enforcement of livestock movement regulations and reduce unlawful transportation that risks further spread,” he added.

Mulder further expressed concerns about limitations in veterinary services, with reports indicating a 45% vacancy rate in their veterinary division.

“Legislators expressed worry about the system’s capacity to support large-scale vaccination efforts. The Department of Agriculture acknowledged these challenges and confirmed that private veterinarians may assist through collaboration with state veterinarians. The possible mobilisation of retired veterinarians was also suggested as an interim measure,” he said.

To ensure ongoing accountability, the committees recommended that the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) conduct a follow-up assessment after six months to evaluate provincial veterinary capacity and progress in implementation. This approach underlines consistent oversight rather than responding solely during crises.

During his presentation, the Director-General of the Department of Agriculture, Mooketsa Ramasodi, outlined the department’s plan to vaccinate nearly 40 million animals, aiming to achieve 80% herd immunity by December. Achieving this target is expected to reduce outbreak cases by approximately 70%. The plan includes large-scale vaccination campaigns as well as the development of rapid diagnostic tools in collaboration with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and other partners to enhance testing capacity.

“Vaccine distribution remains tightly controlled to support efforts to regain FMD-free status in line with World Organisation for Animal Health requirements, which mandate strict surveillance and reporting. Vaccines are currently not registered for commercial sale, requiring exemptions from the Department of Health and South African Health Products Regulatory Authority before importation,” he clarified.

He mentioned that there are currently doses available in the country, and they anticipate around 13.5 million doses by the end of March.

He concluded the workshop with a unified pledge from all provinces to fast-track the implementation of agreed resolutions, improve intergovernmental collaboration, and defend the livestock sector. Members stressed that supporting farmers and rebuilding confidence in biosecurity must remain a national priority as the country continues its efforts to contain and ultimately eradicate the outbreak.