Foot-and-Mouth Disease Containment Strategy
By Chris Williams
Cape Town –
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has voiced strong confidence in the government’s new plan to tackle foot-and-mouth disease, calling it a realistic and solid approach that can help protect South Africa’s livestock industry.
This comes as the country battles ongoing outbreaks that have hit farmers hard and threatened exports for years.
The minister shared these views during a media briefing in Parliament yesterday, where he laid out a clear path forward.
He stressed that while vaccination plays a key role, it is just one part of a bigger effort to bring the disease under control. With outbreaks affecting most provinces, this strategy aims to steady the ship and rebuild trust in the sector.
Background on the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Crisis
Foot-and-mouth disease, often called FMD, is a highly contagious virus that affects cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs.
It causes painful sores in the mouth and on the feet, leading to weight loss, lower milk production, and sometimes death in young animals.
While it does not harm humans, it spreads quickly through direct contact, contaminated feed, or even on clothing and vehicles.
South Africa lost its FMD-free status back in 2019 after an outbreak, which shut down key export markets and cost the economy billions.
The current wave of infections kicked off in 2021 when infected animals were moved from Phalaborwa in Limpopo to KwaZulu-Natal. Since then, the disease has spread to seven provinces, leaving only the Northern Cape untouched.
This has led to strict quarantines on affected farms, halting sales and movements of livestock, and piling financial pressure on farmers.
In recent months, the situation has worsened, with reports of outbreaks in feedlots and dairies.
Last year, the government vaccinated over a million cattle using doses bought from Botswana, but challenges like limited vaccine supplies and poor biosecurity on some farms have slowed progress.
Farmers have faced long quarantines, sometimes up to 12 months, with no quick fixes in sight. This has sparked frustration, as some feel the state has not done enough to support them during these tough times.
The crisis has broader impacts too. The livestock industry, worth around R80 billion, supports jobs in farming, meat processing, and exports.
Lost markets mean higher costs for consumers and fewer opportunities for rural communities.
To address this, the Department of Agriculture held a major gathering called the Bosberaad in July last year, bringing together over 400 experts from government, universities, and the private sector to brainstorm solutions.
Details of the New Containment Strategy
The heart of the plan is a 10-year roadmap designed to stabilise the outbreaks, consolidate gains, and eventually phase out vaccinations.
The goal is to achieve FMD-free status with vaccination, as recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health. This would open doors to international trade again and secure the future of the industry.
Steenhuisen explained that the strategy kicks off with immediate mass vaccinations in high-risk areas, set to start next month.
It targets 100% coverage for feedlots and dairy cows, 90% for commercial cattle, and 80% for animals in communal areas.
These vaccinations will be repeated every three months to build strong immunity. Within the first year, the aim is to cut new outbreaks in hotspot provinces by more than 70%.
But the minister was clear: “Vaccination is not a silver bullet to eradicate or manage this disease; it is merely one of the tools that can and must be used to combat foot and mouth disease.
It is, however, no replacement for good on farm bio security, a greater adherence to movement controls as well as ensuring at a farm level that bio security is up to the correct standard.”
Other key measures include tighter controls on animal movements to stop the virus from spreading. Farms must improve biosecurity, like better fencing, cleaning routines, and checks on visitors.
The government is also pushing for South Africa to make its own vaccines, after losing that ability years ago. This would reduce reliance on imports and speed up responses to outbreaks.
To make it all work, the plan introduces regionalisation – dividing the country into disease control zones. This means areas with low risk can keep exporting, while high-risk spots get extra focus.
Two experienced veterinarians, Dr Emily Mogajane and Dr Nomsa Mnisi, have been appointed to lead this effort. They will work with provinces to set up these zones, following the Animal Health Act.
In protection zones, especially in Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga, funds will go towards building new feedlots and abattoirs. This is not just about animal health; it ties into rural development and better land use.
The strategy also looks to declare the outbreak a national disaster, unlocking more resources and coordination across government levels.
Over the next two years, the focus will be on reducing FMD cases by about 70% in high-risk areas and hitting 90% vaccination rates overall, with full coverage for dairy cows.
This phased approach draws inspiration from countries like Brazil, which have successfully managed similar challenges through science-based plans.
Challenges and Criticisms Facing the Plan
While the strategy has been welcomed by many, it is not without hurdles. Some commercial farmers have voiced dismay, saying they feel left in the lurch.
One farmer shared how a year-long quarantine wrecked his business, with no vaccines available and little government help. He questioned whether reporting outbreaks is worth it if it just leads to economic pain without real containment.
Issues like vaccine shortages, weak enforcement of movement rules, and gaps in provincial support have been ongoing problems.
The disease’s sneaky nature means it can hide in carrier animals, making full eradication tough. Plus, communal farming areas, where animals roam freely, pose extra risks for spread.
Steenhuisen acknowledged these difficulties but insisted the plan is fact-driven and built on input from a wide range of stakeholders.
He pointed out that past efforts, like vaccinating nearly a million animals late last year, show progress is possible. Still, success will depend on everyone – farmers, vets, and officials – working together.
Looking Ahead: Impacts and Hopes for the Future
If rolled out well, this strategy could transform South Africa’s agriculture. Regaining FMD-free status would boost exports, create jobs, and stabilise food prices.
It would also strengthen food security, as healthy livestock means reliable meat and dairy supplies for families across the country.
For farmers, it offers hope after years of uncertainty. Better zones and local vaccine production could make the industry more resilient. Rural areas stand to gain from new infrastructure, like feedlots, which could spark economic growth.
Steenhuisen wrapped up by calling it a “war” on the disease, vowing to follow through with determination. As the vaccinations begin next month, all eyes will be on how quickly results show.
South Africans, from city dwellers to rural herders, have a stake in this – a stronger livestock sector means a healthier nation overall.
This plan marks a fresh start, blending science, strategy, and support to beat back foot-and-mouth disease once and for all.
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