Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has appointed a new council to coordinate industry efforts in the fight against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), marking a significant step in the country’s strategy to restore its FMD-free status.

By Maile Matsimela, Digital Editor at African Farming

Following last week’s announcement of South Africa’s national strategy to contain and control FMD, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has formally established the FMD Industry Coordination Council to strengthen the implementation of disease control measures.

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The council represents a crucial component in South Africa’s comprehensive approach to tackling the livestock disease that has impacted the country’s agricultural sector.

Government-industry Partnership

Minister Steenhuisen emphasised the critical importance of collaboration between government and private sector stakeholders in addressing the FMD challenge.

“I am fully committed to doing whatever it takes to beat FMD. This council will engage directly with me, and its input will be taken seriously,” he said. “Government cannot do this alone; we need the full strength of the private sector, farmers and veterinarians collaborating with us.”

The minister expressed confidence in the strategy’s timeline, adding: “We now have a road map, and I am accountable for its delivery. If we stay focused and work together, I believe we can restore FMD-free status in less than 10 years.”

Triangular Partnership Structure

The newly established council forms part of a three-pronged approach to FMD response:

The Department of Agriculture – responsible for policy development, regulatory support and resource allocation;

The Technical and Scientific Task Team – providing scientific, veterinary and epidemiological expertise; and

The FMD Industry Coordination Council – delivering operational insights, strategic guidance and unified industry input.

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Council Responsibilities

The council has been tasked with several key responsibilities, including establishing industry coordination mechanisms, consolidating situational information and supporting implementation readiness for traceability systems. Members will also facilitate training, awareness programmes and implementation monitoring across the sector.

The council will engage regularly with both the Department of Agriculture and the Technical and Scientific Task Team to ensure alignment between policy development, implementation strategies and veterinary oversight.

The council comprises nine industry representatives: Johann Kotzé, Bennie van Zyl, Theo Boshoff, Frikkie Maré, Fanie Ferreira, Marlene Louw, Bongani Msimang, Kobus Bester and Dewald Olivier.

The council commenced its work immediately, with the first formal meeting held on Wednesday, 21 January. Weekly engagements will follow to maintain momentum and ensure consistent progress towards FMD control objectives.

The council has also requested an urgent meeting with the Technical and Scientific Task Team to review the national plan and align operational capacity across industry and government structures.