Progress made on FMD as 23 million vaccine doses imported

Government, working with the private sector, is making tangible progress in the fight against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).

This is according to Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp, who addressed the TLU SA Congress held in Pretoria.

Over the past week, the North West province recorded no new cases of FMD for the first time since December 2025.

“Government and the private sector have worked together to import over 23 million vaccine doses. We are making steady progress with the vaccination of cattle in all provinces.

“Every single commercial dairy cow in South Africa has received their first dose of vaccine. That is over 1.38 million animals. Second-round booster distributions are already moving forward rapidly. Government must not become a bottleneck in animal healthcare. That is why we established a legal path for farmers to vaccinate their own herds,” Aucamp said.

READ | North West records first week with no new FMD cases
 

To date, more than 1000 farmers have registered on the department’s online systems to be classified as an authorised person to vaccinate their own cattle.

“Farmers also have the option to use any of the approved online systems provided by private sector stakeholders, such as the platforms provided by RMIS [Red Meat Industry Services], SAAI [Southern African Agri Initiative] and Buffalo Analytics.

“I want to urge farmers who have the means to proactively vaccinate their cattle to do so,” the Minister said. 

The registration process is as follows:
·       Apply on the FMD Reporting system to be approved as an “Authorised Person” to administer the FMD vaccine.
·       Once you are approved as an “Authorised Person”, you will be required to give notice five days (it will change soon) prior of your intention to vaccinate.
·       Notice should be given to the Provincial Director: Veterinary Services or the State Veterinarian in your area. You will then be able to procure the FMD vaccine directly from the veterinarian in your area.
·       Importantly, within 14 days after administering the vaccine, you must provide the local State Veterinarian with the required feedback on the vaccines that you have administered. This feedback report will include various details of the animals vaccinated, the vaccine used, and the location of the farm where the vaccine was administered.

“This feedback can be done either via the online system or in writing. When you manage biosecurity on your own farm, our national defence against animal disease grows stronger,” Aucamp said.

He told the congress that partnering with government can “unlock incredible potential”.

“We can cut through red tape, streamline strict regulations, and open lucrative new export markets. Joint action, as seen in our fight against Foot and mouth disease, allows us to secure necessary vaccines faster and protect vital supply chains.

“When state policy aligns directly with the practical needs of organised agriculture, we create stability. Government creates the enabling framework, and you do what you do best: farm productively and ensure food security in the country,” Aucamp said. – SAnews.gov.za

 

Source: Original report at SAnews.gov.za.