South African court clears way for private FMD vaccine procurement

SOUTH AFRICA – Gauteng High Court is allowing livestock owners to procure and administer Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines without full state control, which could accelerate efforts to contain the disease and support South Africa’s goal of regaining export market access.

The judgment, handed down by Judge Johann van der Westhuizen, stems from litigation brought by agricultural organisations Sakeliga, the Southern African Agri Initiative (SAAI) and Free State Agriculture. 

The ruling comes as the Department of Agriculture develops recommendations for greater cooperation between public- and private-sector stakeholders in combating FMD.

According to the African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (AFASA), the courts have increasingly questioned restrictions that prevented private farmers and agricultural groups from participating directly in vaccination programmes.

“The court has increasingly criticised delays by the Department of Agriculture and, in the latest interim ruling, allowed lawful private procurement and administration of vaccines while preventing government interference in those private arrangements,” AFASA said.

SAAI described the decision as an opportunity for farmers and industry stakeholders to contribute to the design of South Africa’s final vaccination framework. 

The organisation argued that the government had failed to provide a legal basis for insisting that all aspects of the vaccination campaign remain under state control.

ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip welcomed the ruling, saying it confirmed concerns raised by farming communities throughout the outbreak.

The current FMD outbreak has posed a major challenge since 2022/23. 

During a recent meeting of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, officials reported that while 9.5 million vaccine doses had been imported, only 3.8 million doses had been administered.

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen said the government remains focused on implementing its national FMD strategy.

“Our objective remains to vaccinate at least 80% of the national cattle population with two doses of vaccine as swiftly as possible as part of South Africa’s pathway toward achieving WOAH-recognised FMD-free status with vaccination,” he said.

Achieving that status is viewed as critical for expanding export opportunities for South Africa’s red meat sector.

Seasonal respiratory disease poses additional cattle health challenge

While producers continue to battle FMD, livestock health specialists are also warning farmers about the seasonal rise in bovine respiratory disease (BRD), one of the most common health challenges affecting cattle during autumn and winter.

According to Beefmaster Group animal health specialist Thapelo Kgosi Ramokala, BRD outbreaks typically occur during seasonal transitions when animals experience stress from weaning, transport and commingling.

“BRD is not caused by a single pathogen, but rather a combination of factors that compromise the animal’s immune system,” he said.

The disease involves a combination of viral and bacterial infections, with common viral contributors including infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD), parainfluenza-3 and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV).

Ramokala urged farmers to watch for early symptoms such as fever, coughing, nasal discharge, reduced feed intake and laboured breathing, noting that prompt treatment significantly improves recovery outcomes.

He said preventative herd health programmes remain the most effective defence, combining vaccination, good nutrition, low-stress handling practices and close monitoring during high-risk periods such as weaning and feedlot entry.

Vaccination against respiratory diseases is already a routine component of many herd health programmes, including for pregnant cows, helping protect both animals and their offspring through colostrum-derived immunity.

Where infections occur, Ramokala recommends rapid treatment with appropriate antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication, along with isolating affected animals to limit the spread of disease and support recovery.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.