Minister John Steenhuisen has officially announced the intention to publish the Routine Vaccination Scheme for Foot and mouth disease (RVS-FMD).

This draft scheme, established under Section 10 of the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act No. 35 of 1984), marks a significant shift toward a voluntary, nationwide framework for managing
one of the most economically impactful viral diseases in the livestock sector.

The draft RVS-FMD has been designed to facilitate coordinated FMD vaccinations for domesticated cloven-hoofed animals. By establishing a formal structure for routine vaccination, the Department of Agriculture aims to mitigate disease risk and ensure the continuity of business operations for participating farmers and livestock owners.

“The objective of this scheme is to mitigate against the risk of FMD and creates an enabling environment for continued business operations for participants,” the minister said.

He added that this scheme is about partnership. “Through cost-sharing mechanisms and phased implementation, we are promoting equitable participation to safeguard the agricultural economy.”

The scheme

The proposed scheme introduces several crucial oversight and operational mechanisms:

• A dedicated committee will be formed that will include state and private sector veterinarians, experts in virology and vaccinology, and representatives from agricultural associations (including the dairy, feedlot, small stock and pig industries).

• To ensure participation, all animals must be uniquely identified and recorded on a national traceability system. This includes branding, tattooing, or electronic ear tags to ensure every animal’s life cycle and vaccination status are monitored.

• This scheme mandates strict oversight of vaccine receipt, cold chain management and vaccination techniques.

• While enrolment is voluntary and open to livestock owners across the country, participants must comply with biosecurity plans and regular audits to maintain their status.

Taken together, this draft Routine Vaccination Scheme represents a decisive step forward in South Africa’s sustained effort to bring FMD under control. “It moves the country beyond reactive containment toward a proactive, risk-based system built on partnership, traceability, and accountability. By aligning industry and government around a shared framework for vaccination and biosecurity, the scheme strengthens our ability to reduce outbreaks, protect the national herd, and restore confidence in our livestock sector,” the Department stated.

Comments period

The Department of Agriculture invites all interested parties to submit comments or representations regarding the proposed scheme within seven (7) calendar days of this notice. The notice was Gazetted on 10 April 2026. Submissions should be directed to Dr EM Mogajane at the FMD Command Centre (FMDcommandcent@nda.gov.za