Three properties in Gouda, Velddrif and Bredasdorp are now under quarantine due to the suspected occurrence of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

By Alani Janeke, Senior Journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad

A Free State farmer reported on Saturday that cattle transported to him from the Gouda district showed FMD lesions.

According to Western Cape Veterinary Services, the Gouda property was placed under quarantine after lesions were observed around the animals’ mouths during an inspection. Samples have been taken and sent for laboratory testing to confirm or rule out FMD.

Two other properties in the Western Cape from which cattle were moved on 30 October – in the Velddrif and Bredasdorp areas – have also been quarantined and will be inspected.

“The origin of the potentially infected cattle is still being verified,” the statement by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture reads. “The transport company responsible for moving the animals is under investigation, and all properties linked to this company over the past 30 days will be contacted and inspected.”

Also read: Possible case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) investigated in Western Cape

Auctions Affected

According to John Durr, board member of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO) in the Western Cape, the weekly auctions at Gouda have been cancelled pending the results of the blood tests.

Act Responsibly!

In a joint statement, Agri Western Cape and the RPO said they are in constant contact with the provincial veterinary department about the situation.

“We would like to make a serious appeal to all members to act responsibly in these uncertain times. Maintain all protocols when moving any animals and ensure that biosecurity measures are applied on your property. We also request that no unconfirmed information be shared, Ensure your information comes from reliable sources.”

The following requests are made to stakeholders in the industry:

Do not buy or transport animals from FMD-infected areas or areas under movement control.
Buying animals at an auction outside the Western Cape is risky. Only buy from auctions that comply with the Agricultural Produce Agents Council’s regulations.
Vehicles transporting animals must be washed and disinfected after animals are unloaded and before loading again. A certificate indicating the date, time and disinfectant used must be kept in these vehicles at all times.
Feed materials accompanying animals must be destroyed.
Obtain a health certificate from a private veterinarian for all animals purchased, especially those bought or used outside the Western Cape.
Report any suspected FMD cases to the nearest state veterinarian immediately.

The Western Cape FMD Working Group, which includes all relevant stakeholders, will meet on Wednesday afternoon to ensure accurate and up-to-date information is shared.

Report All Livestock Movement

The department further urges that biosecurity measures be implemented and maintained on all livestock farms.

All animals with cloven hooves must be transported with a health declaration and a declaration that they will be kept in isolation at their destination for 28 days.
To help veterinary services track and monitor high-risk movements, all livestock movement into, within or out of the Western Cape must be reported via an online form.

Loss of Income

Independent agricultural economist Prof Johan Willemse estimates the red meat industry’s losses – due to the government and stakeholders’ failure to contain the outbreak – are about R2 billion, including R1,5 billion in direct export revenue.

“This excludes on-farm losses, the increased costs for feedlots and export-approved abattoirs, and the cash flow strain on cattle farmers who cannot market their animals. If this continues, many weaners will have to be held back and sold later at higher weights as B-grade animals.”

No matter how you look at it, Willemse says, South Africa can expect a bottleneck of slaughter animals and lower prices in 2026.

The Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO) has estimated that the loss of income for the eight dairy farms that were under FMD quarantine from May 2024 to May 2025 amounted to R56,3 million.

“Remember, the losses are not only direct – there are also indirect costs and the loss of productive dairy cows,” Willemse says.

According to Willemse, based on current information about the possible cases in the Western Cape, the impact on consumer meat prices during the festive season is expected to be minimal.

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