Veterinarians, farmers and other stakeholders participated in a workshop in Potchefstroom on Friday 12 December to seek solutions for the management of the current outbreak of foot-and-mouth (FMD) disease.

By Alani Janeke, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad

“The aim of the workshop was to talk to people at grassroots level, such as farmers and veterinarians, about the uncertainties that exist and to provide advice.” This is according to Dr Dave Midgley, CEO of the Ruminant Veterinary Association of South Africa (Ruvasa). Ruvasa became involved in the workshop because it supports this initiative of Dr Jan Bastian (Basjan) Fouché, a private veterinarian from Parys.

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The initiative arose from questions raised by farmers and veterinarians at grassroots level.

“We are looking for solutions. Everyone is talking, but there is no clarity about what is happening or will happen. And some of the existing processes that are being followed are taking too long. We are chasing the disease rather than controlling it. And farmers cannot wait until next year to get things done.”

Midgley says they support the vaccination campaign that was announced on 26 November by John Steenhuisen, Minister of Agriculture. However, there is a lot of uncertainty about the practical implications of the campaign, and there are stakeholders who feel something is being hidden because there has not yet been clear communication about all the practical implications. “We needed to talk to each other about this.”

Also read: Dairy industry urges president to act as foot-and-mouth (FMD) vaccine shortage worsens

Rapid spread

According to Midgley, cases of foot-and-mouth disease in the Parys and Vredefort area have increased sharply from October to December 2025. The fact that the area is on the border between the Free State and North West makes things difficult because two provincial governments are involved in combating the disease.

Several buffalo farms also fall within the affected area. These farms have been free of FMDfor years. These game farmers are concerned about the impact on their animals if cattle on surrounding farms were to fall ill and are therefore requesting that they be given priority when it comes to vaccination.

Midgley says during the first part of the workshop, speakers shared their experience and advice, while a practical workshop took place in the afternoon to look for solutions.

“Our aim was also to advise all farmers on what they need to have ready on their farms to protect their livestock herds. Furthermore, we talked about what each stakeholder in the value chain can do to help stop the spread of the disease.”