Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has announced the arrival of an additional 2 million doses of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine from Turkey, bringing the total number of imported doses since late February to 8 million. The latest shipment forms part of government’s intensified efforts to contain the spread of the disease and protect the country’s livestock sector.
According to the Department of Agriculture, another 5 million vaccine doses are expected to arrive soon. Together with the 2 million BVI vaccine doses secured last year, South Africa is expected to have received a total of 15 million doses by the end of May 2026.
Steenhuisen said the large-scale procurement drive sends a clear message that government is committed to protecting the livestock industry, safeguarding food security and supporting rural livelihoods affected by recurring outbreaks of the disease.
The department’s goal is to vaccinate around 80% of South Africa’s national cattle herd, estimated at about 14 million cattle, by the end of December 2026. The vaccination campaign forms part of the country’s long-term strategy to achieve and maintain “FMD free with vaccination” status while reducing the economic and social impact of outbreaks.
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‘Cows do not carry passports’ – Steenhuisen
The department also emphasised the importance of regional cooperation in fighting transboundary animal diseases. On Monday, Steenhuisen joined Eswatini’s Minister of Agriculture, Mandla Tshawuka, as well as representatives from Mozambique, in vaccinating more than 300 cattle in Hazyview, Mpumalanga. The event highlighted a coordinated regional response to FMD outbreaks in Southern Africa.
Steenhuisen said countries in the region need to work together to combat the disease effectively, adding that discussions are under way to establish stronger regional systems for animal movement control, livestock traceability and coordinated disease response mechanisms.
Reflecting on lessons drawn from South America’s success in controlling foot-and-mouth disease, Minister Steenhuisen said: “One of the clearest lessons from South America is that you cannot defeat this disease in isolation. Cows do not carry passports. If one country acts alone, the risk remains for everyone. That is why we are working closely with our neighbours to build a truly regional response. We must move beyond simply reacting to outbreaks and establish a SADC antigen bank so that Southern Africa can rapidly access vaccines when they are needed most, without relying on lengthy international procurement processes.”
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