JOHANNESBURG — South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has called for an expedited mass vaccination campaign against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), emphasizing the need to vaccinate animals as quickly as possible amidst an ongoing crisis.
In a move to address the escalating outbreaks of FMD, which have caused substantial economic losses and disrupted trade, the Gauteng High Court has set a deadline for the Department of Agriculture to publish a Routine Vaccination Scheme (RVS-FMD). This scheme would enable private sector participation in the vaccination efforts. Since February 2026, approximately four million doses of FMD vaccines have been received, with two million arriving from Turkey in April.
The government’s goal is to vaccinate 80% of the national herd by December 2026 to achieve ‘FMD-free with vaccination’status. Steenhuisen underscores the importance of collaboration among stakeholders, stating that court cases and interference are not conducive to immediate results. He envisions a scenario where the South African red meat sector can regain international premiums and bring FMD under control.
The Department of Agriculture has been actively working on FMD outbreaks across various provinces, focusing on control measures, vaccination pace, and reach. Early data indicates that the current strategy is yielding positive outcomes, with no new breakthroughs in vaccinated herds.
As the vaccination campaign unfolds, the success will hinge on the cooperation of farmers and the efficiency of the vaccination process.
The government’s efforts to control the disease and the public’s response to the vaccination campaign will be pivotal in determining the outcome of this ongoing crisis.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: enca
Source: Estelle.Bronkhorst
