Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) has become one of the most disruptive forces in South Africa’s livestock sector.
The current outbreak is the most widespread in decades and its effects are being felt from communal farms to commercial feedlots, dairy producers, abattoirs, exporters, and ultimately the consumer who is paying more for beef at the supermarket.
The situation is serious, complex and fast moving. It is also a moment that demands clear information and practical solutions.
MeatFacts brings together the latest developments from government, including the Minister of Agriculture’s recent statements, and the most current reporting on the outbreak.
The Scale of the Outbreak
Gauteng has become the epicentre of the current FMD outbreak.
According to recent reporting, more than 261,000 livestock in the province have been affected. This is an extraordinary number and reflects how quickly the virus can spread when it enters densely populated farming regions.
The outbreak in Gauteng was traced back to unlawful cattle movements from an infected zone in KwaZulu Natal in April 2025. From there, the virus moved through the West Rand and into surrounding districts, affecting both commercial and small-scale farmers.
To date, the disease has been identified in eight of South Africa’s nine provinces. However, a recent article in African Farming indicates that foot-and-mouth disease may be advancing toward the Northern Cape. This is the widest geographic spread in the country’s recent history, and it has placed enormous pressure on veterinary services, laboratories, law enforcement and the agricultural economy.
The impact on farmers has been severe. Many have endured multiple waves of infection over the past three years. Each wave brings quarantines, movement restrictions, cancelled auctions, reduced herd values and in some cases the loss of entire production cycles.
For small scale farmers, the loss of even a few animals can be financially devastating. For commercial operations, the cumulative effect of repeated outbreaks has eroded profitability and increased operational risk.
Why Foot and Mouth Disease Matters
Foot and Mouth Disease does not typically kill cattle in large numbers, but it causes painful lesions, fever and lameness. Infected animals lose condition rapidly and milk production drops sharply.
The disease spreads easily through direct contact, contaminated equipment, vehicles and even clothing. Once it enters a herd, it can move quickly unless strict controls are put in place.
The economic consequences are far reaching. When South Africa loses its Foot and Mouth Disease free status, export markets close immediately. This affects beef, dairy, hides and other livestock products. Export bans reduce foreign revenue and push more product into the domestic market, which disrupts pricing and supply chains.
At the same time, outbreaks increase production costs for farmers who must comply with movement controls, testing requirements and biosecurity measures.
Consumers feel the impact through higher beef prices and reduced availability of certain cuts. Food security is also affected because livestock farming supports thousands of jobs and provides a critical source of protein for many households.
Government’s Response to the Crisis
The national and provincial governments have taken a series of steps to contain the outbreak and restore stability.
Gauteng has implemented strict quarantine measures on affected farms. These quarantines are enforced by veterinary officials and supported by law enforcement.
The province has also administered more than 286,000 vaccine doses and has ordered an additional 90,000.
At national level, the Department of Agriculture has launched a coordinated vaccination campaign. The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has emphasised that the campaign is guided by scientific advice from the Ministerial Task Team, which includes veterinarians, epidemiologists and academics from both the public and private sectors.
The national plan outlines immediate, medium term and long-term actions to bring the outbreak under control and to rebuild the country’s disease management capacity.
The state has already procured 2 million vaccine doses from the Botswana Vaccine Institute. It has also issued import permits to private companies acting as local agents for international manufacturers.
On February 1st, Carte Blanch reported that the government has allocated R2 billion for vaccine doses.
Dunevax has been granted permission to import Dollvet vaccines from Turkey, and another permit for the Biogenesis Bago vaccine is expected soon. Biogenesis Bago, based in Argentina, has the capacity to produce 25 million doses each month—more than enough for South Africa’s roughly 14 million cattle.
The Controversy Over Vaccine Access
One of the most contentious issues in the current outbreak is the regulation of vaccines. Under the Animal Diseases Act, Foot and Mouth Disease vaccines are strictly controlled. Only the state may procure and distribute them. Farmers and private veterinarians are not allowed to purchase or administer vaccines independently.
Several organisations, including Saai, Sakeliga and Free State Agriculture, have challenged this policy. They argue that farmers should be allowed to vaccinate their own animals, especially during a crisis of this scale. They have threatened legal action and have launched public campaigns to raise funds for a court challenge.
The Department of Agriculture has responded firmly. It argues that Foot and Mouth Disease is a controlled disease for a reason. Unregulated vaccination can mask infections, create gaps in surveillance and undermine the country’s ability to regain its Foot and Mouth Disease free status. The department points to past incidents where illegally imported vaccines were used in KwaZulu Natal, creating serious risks for the national herd.
The World Organisation for Animal Health requires countries seeking Foot and Mouth Disease free status with vaccination to demonstrate that there has been no virus transmission for at least twelve months. This requires a tightly controlled vaccination programme, official surveillance, movement controls and verifiable vaccination coverage. The department argues that a vaccine free-for-all approach would jeopardise this goal and prolong the crisis.
The Minister’s Call for Unity
In a recent media statement, Minister Steenhuisen urged the farming community to remain united and to avoid being drawn into campaigns that could undermine the national response.
He warned that litigation at this stage could delay vaccine procurement and divert critical veterinary resources away from the frontline. He also noted that financial resources that could be used for vaccines or personnel would instead be spent on legal costs.
The Minister emphasised that private sector veterinarians and animal health technicians will be involved in the rollout of the vaccination campaign. He stressed that the national plan was developed with input from industry bodies and that the FMD Industry Coordination Council includes representatives from across the sector.
Strengthening Veterinary Governance
Alongside the immediate response to the outbreak, government has taken steps to strengthen the institutions responsible for veterinary regulation.
On 26 January 2026, the Minister announced the constitution of the new South African Veterinary Council. The council includes veterinarians, para veterinary professionals, academics, regulatory experts and a legal specialist.
The new council began its term on 1 February 2026 and will hold its inaugural meeting in February. It is expected to address outstanding matters from the previous term and to support the broader effort to rebuild South Africa’s animal health systems.
The Path Forward
South Africa’s FMD crisis is not a short-term problem. It is the result of years of underinvestment in veterinary services, porous movement controls, limited vaccine availability and gaps in surveillance. The current outbreak has exposed these weaknesses, but it has also created an opportnity to rebuild.
The national vaccination campaign, the reconstitution of the South African Veterinary Council and the renewed focus on scientific oversight are important steps.
The shipment of South African field strains to the Pirbright Institute in the United Kingdom for the first time in fourteen years is another significant development. It signals a return to international scientific collaboration and will support the development of more effective vaccines and diagnostics.
The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. Farmers are losing income. Livestock markets are disrupted. Export opportunities are at risk. Consumers are paying more for beef. The longer the outbreak continues, the greater the economic and social cost.
The country needs a vaccination programme that is fast, coordinated and scientifically sound. It needs strong enforcement of movement controls and clear communication with farmers. It needs laboratories that can process samples quickly and accurately, and veterinary services that are adequately staffed and funded.
Most importantly, it needs a shared commitment to defeating the virus. It needs cooperation between government, industry and communities.
FMD is not a political issue. It is a national challenge that affects every link in the food chain.
The decisions made now will determine how quickly South Africa can restore stability, regain its international status and protect the livelihoods of the people who depend on livestock farming.