South Africa ramps up foot-and-mouth disease vaccination drive
Millions of livestock have been vaccinated as containment and biosecurity efforts expand nationwide.
The South African government has spent almost half a billion rand and procured a record 13.5 million vaccine doses in an aggressive bid to contain the country’s worst foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in recent years, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen revealed earlier today (June 1).
The Witness reports that Steenhuisen told Parliament that the government had already spent R494m on vaccine procurement and deployment as it battles to curb a disease that has disrupted livestock production, restricted animal movement and threatened key export markets.
The minister announced that nearly 4.4 million animals were vaccinated nationwide as of Thursday (May 28), with KZN leading the campaign after more than 1.1 million animals received vaccines.
“This is the largest vaccine acquisition programme ever undertaken by the South African state,” said Steenhuisen.
The announcement comes as farmers across the country continue to grapple with the economic fallout of the outbreak, which has left many unable to move livestock freely, increased feed costs and created uncertainty across the agricultural sector.
More vaccinations on the way
In a major boost to the vaccination drive, South Africa last week received 3.5 million additional vaccine doses, while regulatory approval has now been granted for importing a further 14 million doses to support booster vaccinations.
Steenhuisen acknowledged the frustration and hardship experienced by livestock producers, saying many had suffered significant financial losses while complying with disease-control measures.
“I have listened to their frustrations. I have heard their concerns. I understand their impatience,” he said.
The outbreak has placed KZN at the centre of the national response, with the province recording the highest number of vaccinated animals.
Nationwide roll-out
The Eastern Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Limpopo, North West, Western Cape and Northern Cape have also rolled out large-scale vaccination programmes.
Beyond the immediate vaccination effort, the government is expanding diagnostic capacity and strengthening surveillance systems as part of a broader strategy to overhaul South Africa’s biosecurity framework.
Steenhuisen said the country was moving away from a reactive approach to disease outbreaks towards a preventative and risk-based system designed to detect and contain future threats more effectively.
The minister also sought to reassure producers and exporters, revealing that several international markets remain open to South African livestock products despite the outbreak. Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and Kuwait continue to accept exports under agreed conditions, while discussions with Qatar and several other Middle Eastern and North African countries are underway.
South Africa has also secured support from regional partners after Southern African Development Community ministers agreed to prioritise the development of a co-ordinated regional framework to tackle foot-and-mouth disease across borders.
Steenhuisen said stronger co-operation between neighbouring countries would be crucial in preventing future outbreaks and protecting trade.
Agriculture remains one of South Africa’s key economic sectors, supporting thousands of jobs and contributing significantly to exports and rural livelihoods.
“The war against foot-and-mouth disease is far from over. But for the first time since this crisis began, South Africa is increasingly setting the pace of the response rather than reacting to the disease.”
The government is expected to launch a new public-private biosecurity model in the coming weeks aimed at strengthening co-operation between the state, farmers, veterinarians and industry stakeholders as efforts continue to contain the outbreak and restore confidence in the livestock sector.
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Read original story on witness.co.za
