Farmers in Humansdorp in the Eastern Cape are once again under strain following a renewed outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), marking the second flare-up in the region in less than a year.
The resurgence has intensified concerns over livestock health, strict movement controls, and escalating financial losses within the agricultural sector. Farmers fear that continued outbreaks could further destabilise dairy and beef production in the area, with ripple effects across the broader economy.
ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip visited the region to conduct an oversight inspection and engage directly with affected farmers. During his visit, he sharply criticised the government’s response to the outbreak, particularly the limited allocation of vaccines to the province.
According to Trollip, of the 12,900 vaccines distributed nationally, only 2,600 were allocated to the Eastern Cape — a figure he described as grossly inadequate. He pointed out that approximately 35 farmers in the area each manage herds of around 1,000 cattle, bringing the total number of potentially affected livestock to about 35,000.
“Two thousand six hundred vaccines will not even make a dent,” Trollip said, arguing that the supply falls far short of what is required to contain the outbreak effectively.
He has called on the Minister of Agriculture and the department to urgently strengthen containment measures, accelerate vaccine procurement, and ensure sufficient supplies are secured. Trollip also urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare a national disaster to unlock emergency funding and fast-track the acquisition and distribution of vaccines.
Farmers in the region remain anxious as authorities work to prevent further spread of the disease, which poses a serious threat to trade, food security, and the sustainability of livestock farming in the province.