Saai urges national disaster declaration as foot-and-mouth disease threatens livestock industry

SOUTHERN AFRICA – The Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai) has called on the South African government to declare the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak a national disaster, warning that the survival of family farmers depends on swift and decisive intervention.

“Declaring FMD a national disaster will allow the government to deploy resources faster and support farmers whose livelihoods are under threat,” said a Saai spokesperson.

Since the Department of Agriculture’s November 2025 announcement that all cattle, approximately 14 million, would be vaccinated, the disease has claimed the lives of pigs and calves.

Dairy, red meat, and stud livestock operations face severe financial pressure, with many farmers unable to sell or move livestock. Saai warns that the Department of Agriculture’s efforts have not restored trust.

“The R300 per head (US$16.70) that farmers are expected to pay for FMD vaccines is excessive,” the spokesperson said. “Farmers who have already suffered losses of R5.6 billion (US$311 million) cannot be expected to cover the cost of state failure.”

By comparison, recent vaccine purchases by Red Meat Industry Services cost R60 per dose (US$3.30), and more efficient vaccines from Brazil and Turkey are even cheaper. Farmers argue the state should bear the cost to prevent further financial collapse.

Call for private Sector Partnership

Saai and other agricultural groups insist that the Department of Agriculture lacks the capacity to control the outbreak and must collaborate with the private sector. 

“The private sector can lead vaccination efforts, develop digital monitoring tools, and ensure faster, more transparent control measures,” said the spokesperson. “Political or ideological agendas must not interfere with efforts to save the livestock industry.”

The organisation also criticises the department for excluding farmers, veterinarians, and industry stakeholders from decision-making. “Where communities and experts are left out for political reasons, gaps emerge, trust erodes, and disease control fails,” the spokesperson said.

Regional Concerns and International Lessons

Namibia has recently detected a new strain of FMD, raising fears of cross-border spread. Saai notes that South American countries, including Brazil, successfully contained the disease through strong leadership, inclusive strategies, and engagement across the value chain.

“South Africa only needs to vaccinate 12 to 14 million cattle, compared to 800 million in Brazil. If farmers can vaccinate against lumpy skin disease and brucellosis, they can certainly manage FMD,” the spokesperson added.

As calls intensify for a national disaster declaration, Saai stresses that the survival of family farmers must remain central to all interventions.

Without urgent and coordinated action, the livelihoods of thousands of South African farmers and the stability of the livestock sector remain at serious risk.

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