The Department of Agriculture said it has now successfully coordinated the importation of 8 million FMD vaccine doses since late February.
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The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, announced that with the arrival this morning of a further 2 million doses of the Dollvet vaccine from Türkiye, the Department of Agriculture has now successfully coordinated the importation of 8 million vaccine doses since late February.
The department said the accelerated procurement drive marks a major escalation in government’s campaign against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
“With an additional 5 million doses expected to arrive shortly, South Africa’s total imported vaccine volume will rise to 13 million doses. When combined with the 2 million BVI vaccine doses secured last year, the country will have landed 15 million doses by the end of May 2026," Minister Steenhuisen said. "This sends a clear signal of our determination to protect the national interest, defend our livestock industry, and win the war against FMD.”
The efforts form part of the Department’s strategic objective to vaccinate 80% of the national herd, comprising approximately 14 million cattle, by the end of December 2026.
On Monday, in Hazyview, Mpumalanga, the Minister was joined by his counterpart from Eswatini, Mandla Tshawuka, as well as representatives from Mozambique, to vaccinate 300 cattle in a demonstration of regional solidarity.
Reflecting on lessons drawn from South America’s success in controlling Foot and Mouth Disease, Minister Steenhuisen said: “One of the clearest lessons from South America is that you cannot defeat this disease in isolation. Cows do not carry passports. If one country acts alone, the risk remains for everyone. That is why we are working closely with our neighbours to build a truly regional response.”
The Minister also delivered a message of support to South Africa’s farming communities: “I have made a commitment that if we continue implementing this plan at scale and with urgency, this must be the last major Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak to devastate our people. We are fighting this disease with everything we have, and we stand firmly with our farmers.”
Meanwhile the Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal said it has noted with concern the announcement of a livestock movement ban in the province following the continued spread of FMD.
Sakhile Mngadi, MPL - DA KZN spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Development, said while decisive intervention is necessary to protect KZN’s agricultural economy, the manner in which this restriction has been implemented once again highlights the lack of a coordinated provincial strategy.
"A blanket movement ban without a properly communicated implementation framework, support mechanisms for affected farmers, clear permit systems, intensified biosecurity enforcement, and economic relief measures will create panic, disrupt trade, and threaten livelihoods across our province," Mngadi said.
"Our province’s agricultural economy is too important to be managed through crisis improvisation. Government – at both national and provincial level – must lead with urgency, transparency, and coordination before irreversible damage is done," he said.
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