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Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has announced significant progress in South Africa’s battle against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), with the lifting of Disease Management Areas (DMAs) in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo now imminent. These steps mark a crucial turnaround in the country’s FMD response.
A R72 million emergency vaccine order has been placed with Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP), with delivery expected by mid-June. The department has also provisionally allocated R1.2 billion for vaccines in the 2025/2026 financial year, with doses priced at R100 each.
Minister Steenhuisen reminded livestock owners of the legal obligation under the Animal Diseases Act (1984) to prevent disease spread. Farmers are urged to isolate newly purchased animals for 28 days and ensure they originate from disease-free farms. Auctions and animal movement should be limited, and suspected symptoms such as blisters, excessive salivation, or limping must be reported immediately to state veterinarians.
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