DA welcomes progress on Foot and Mouth Disease prevention, calls for continued vigilance

The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the update by Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, on the measures being implemented to combat Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

We note with particular importance:

1. No new outbreaks have been recorded in the Eastern Cape since September 2024.
2. The Northern Cape and Western Cape remain FMD-free.
3. There are currently 274 unresolved outbreaks in five provinces, of which 180 are in KwaZulu-Natal. KZN remains the epicentre of infection, and was the source of the Mpumalanga outbreak following the sale of infected cattle at auction.
4. The announcement of a mid-scale vaccine production facility, due to be operational by March 2026, to strengthen South Africa’s self-reliance and reduce dependence on imports.
5. Key steps to accelerate animal identification, expand diagnostic capacity, and intensify awareness campaigns.
6. The establishment of an Industry–Government Task Team on animal disease prevention, management, and control — a vital structure to ensure better coordination, enforcement, and accountability.

FMD has severe consequences for South Africa’s agricultural industry.

It blocks export opportunities, increases costs for both producers and consumers, and threatens jobs across the value chain.

The DA is encouraged by the Minister’s commitments, but stresses that success will depend on an all-of-society approach.

Farmers, industry, government, and civil society must all act responsibly and in the best interests of the agricultural sector and the broader economy.

The DA will continue to monitor the implementation of these measures, and hold government accountable to ensure that FMD is brought under control and that South Africa’s agricultural industry is protected.