South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, announced today during a media briefing in Parliament that he will urgently approach Cabinet to declare the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak a national state of disaster. The move aims to unlock additional resources, enhance enforcement of livestock movement controls with support from the South African Police Service (SAPS), traffic departments, and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), and accelerate regulatory measures to curb the spread.
Steenhuisen unveiled the country’s first comprehensive 10-year strategy to eliminate FMD, targeting FMD-free status (initially with vaccination, eventually without) by approximately 2036. Described as realistic, technically sound, and science-led, the phased plan begins with stabilization through targeted vaccinations in high-risk zones, progresses to consolidation, and culminates in the withdrawal of vaccination once the virus is under control.
The outbreak, which originated in 2021 from livestock moved from Phalaborwa to KwaZulu-Natal, has affected multiple provinces including KwaZulu-Natal (the epicenter), Free State, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and North West. The Northern Cape remains the only province free of reported cases.
Vaccination forms a core component of the strategy but is not a standalone solution. Steenhuisen emphasized that it must be paired with robust on-farm biosecurity, strict adherence to movement controls, and high standards of farm-level prevention. Nearly two million animals have already been vaccinated since the outbreak began.
Immediate actions include prioritizing high-risk areas, with goals of achieving at least 80% vaccination coverage in targeted cattle populations (particularly commercial sectors) and up to 100% in feedlots and dairy cows. The short-term target is to reduce outbreak incidents by more than 70% in high-risk provinces within 12 months, with longer-term aims to interrupt virus transmission and bring incidents to very low levels within 2–3 years.
Vaccine supply is ramping up: Domestic stocks are available, and one million additional doses from international partners (including Argentina’s Biogenesis Bagó) are ready for delivery within two weeks pending permits, with millions more expected by March 2026. Efforts are underway to boost local production and reduce import reliance.
Dr. Emely Mogajane, Chief Director for Biosecurity Coordination, reinforced that the approach is data-driven and focused on breaking transmission cycles.
Steenhuisen framed the strategy as a long-term commitment to safeguarding the livestock sector—valued at around R80 billion—protecting food security, farmers’ livelihoods, and the broader agricultural economy. The Democratic Alliance (DA), among others, has welcomed the announcement and backed the state of disaster call, highlighting the need for better policing of animal movement rules.
The briefing has sparked mixed reactions, with some stakeholders praising the proactive roadmap while others express concerns over past response delays, vaccine production challenges at institutions like Onderstepoort Biological Products, and the scale of implementation.
This development marks a significant escalation in efforts to address one of the most severe FMD outbreaks in South Africa’s recent history, with potential major implications for the red meat and dairy industries. Official updates are available from the Department of Agriculture.