PRETORIA — Significant progress has been made in South Africa’s fight against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), with Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp confirming the successful importation of 23 million vaccine doses through a collaborative effort between the government and the private sector.
Addressing delegates at the TLU SA Congress in Pretoria, Minister Aucamp outlined tangible milestones in the national animal health response. Notably, the North West province recently recorded no new cases of FMD for the first time since December 2025, marking a critical turning point in regional containment efforts.
The nationwide vaccination campaign has achieved comprehensive coverage in key sectors. Every commercial dairy cow in South Africa, totaling over 1.38 million animals, has received its first vaccine dose. According to the Minister, second-round booster distributions are currently advancing at a rapid pace across all provinces.
To prevent administrative delays in animal healthcare, the government has established a legal framework allowing farmers to vaccinate their own herds. To date, more than 1,000 farmers have successfully registered through the department’s online systems to be classified as an “Authorised Person” for FMD vaccine administration.
Minister Aucamp noted that farmers also have the option to utilize approved online systems provided by private sector stakeholders, including platforms operated by Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), the Southern African Agri Initiative (SAAI), and Buffalo Analytics. He strongly urged farmers with the necessary resources to proactively vaccinate their cattle.
The department has outlined a clear, four-step registration and compliance process for farmers seeking to administer the vaccine independently:
1. Application: Farmers must apply via the FMD Reporting system to be approved as an “Authorised Person.”
2. Notification: Once approved, farmers are required to provide a five-day notice (a timeframe subject to imminent revision) of their intention to vaccinate.
3. Procurement: This notice must be submitted to the Provincial Director of Veterinary Services or the local State Veterinarian. Following this, farmers can procure the FMD vaccine directly from their area veterinarian.
4. Reporting: Within 14 days of administering the vaccine, farmers must submit a feedback report to the local State Veterinarian. This report must detail the number of animals vaccinated, the specific vaccine used, and the farm’s location. This feedback can be submitted either via the online system or in writing.
“When you manage biosecurity on your own farm, our national defence against animal disease grows stronger,” Minister Aucamp stated.
Emphasizing the broader economic implications of this public-private partnership, Aucamp highlighted that collaborative action cuts through regulatory red tape, streamlines strict regulations, and facilitates access to lucrative new export markets. He noted that joint efforts, as demonstrated in the FMD response, enable faster vaccine procurement and protect vital agricultural supply chains.
“When state policy aligns directly with the practical needs of organised agriculture, we create stability,” Aucamp concluded. “Government creates the enabling framework, and you do what you do best: farm productively and ensure food security in the country.”
