Zuko Komisa
- South Africa is importing millions of high-potency FMD vaccines from Argentina, Botswana, and Turkey to protect its 14-million-strong national herd.
- The Department of Agriculture aims to vaccinate 80% of cattle by December 2026 to achieve “FMD-Free Status” and safeguard the economy.
- A new dedicated toll-free helpline and WhatsApp channel have launched to assist farmers with biosecurity protocols and movement controls.
South Africa’s Agriculture Minister, John Steenhuisen, has announced a massive scale-up in the fight against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).
The first consignment of one million high-potency vaccine doses from Argentina arrives this weekend, marking the start of a plan to deliver five million doses by the end of March.
This international supply chain, which includes partners in Botswana and Turkey, aims to protect the nation’s 14 million cattle.
The Department of Agriculture’s new strategy focuses on proactive vaccination to move the country toward “FMD-Free Status.”
While global imports provide the bulk of the initial supply, the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) has begun distributing locally produced doses.
The ARC plans to ramp up production to 200,000 doses per week by 2027 to ensure long-term biosecurity.
To meet the target of vaccinating 80% of the national herd by December, the government is expanding veterinary capacity by allowing private vets to join the rollout.
A new FMD Control Centre and toll-free support line (0860 246 640) launched this Wednesday, 18 February, to provide farmers with expert guidance on movement permits, symptoms, and farm security.
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