A DA-led national response to protect farmers, jobs and food security
South Africa has stepped up its response to Foot-and-Mouth Disease through mass vaccination, stricter movement controls, and stronger enforcement to stop the spread of the disease and protect the agricultural sector.
Leadership that acts
Under the leadership of DA Federal Leader and Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen government has moved decisively to confront Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
The response is focused on:
- mass vaccination,
- faster testing and surveillance,
- stricter enforcement of animal movement rules, and
- fixing the systems that allowed the disease to spread.
This reflects the Democratic Alliance’s approach: act early, follow the science, and protect livelihoods.
What is Foot-and-Mouth Disease?
Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.
It is not a food safety risk for people, but it causes serious economic harm if not controlled. Outbreaks reduce production, restrict trade, threaten jobs, and damage farming communities.
What government is doing now
On 14 January 2026, the Minister of Agriculture announced that he will ask Cabinet to declare Foot-and-Mouth Disease a National State of Disaster.
This allows government to move faster and bring more resources to the fight against the disease.
What a State of Disaster means in practice
It does not mean panic or food shortages.
It allows government to:
- act faster,
- coordinate nationally,
- bring in law enforcement support,
- unlock emergency resources.
Action on the ground
Vaccination underway
- Nearly 2 million animals have already been vaccinated.
- Mass vaccination is underway in the hardest-hit provinces: KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Free State and North West.
- Vaccinations will be repeated within three months to protect feedlots, dairy herds, and commercial and communal livestock.
Vaccine supply secured
- 1 million vaccine doses are arriving in the coming weeks.
- A further 5 million doses are secured by March 2026.
- Supply has been expanded through local production and approved international suppliers, including the high-potency Dollvet vaccine from Turkey.
Faster testing and stronger enforcement
- Testing capacity has been expanded to allow faster detection of new cases.
- Stricter enforcement of animal movement rules is being rolled out, with additional policing support under a State of Disaster.
Tracking and long-term control
- A digital livestock tracking system is being implemented to record animal movement and vaccination.
- The goal is to reduce outbreaks by more than 70% in high-risk provinces within 12 months, and restore South Africa’s FMD-free status over time.
Help is on the way.
Why this response is different
In the past, South Africa struggled with:
- vaccine shortages,
- slow testing,
- poor coordination,
- weak enforcement.
The current DA-led response focuses on:
- securing enough vaccine supply,
- speeding up testing,
- coordinating nationally,
- enforcing rules fairly,
- planning for long-term eradication.
This is about fixing systems, not managing crises forever.
What success looks like
In the short term
- Fewer new outbreaks
- Better protection of herds
- Stronger enforcement
In the medium term
- Outbreaks reduced by more than 70% in high-risk areas
- Stable farming operations
- Restored confidence
In the long term
- South Africa becomes FMD-free
- Export markets reopen
- Farmers, workers and communities benefit