Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has approved a new national framework for managing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks, giving livestock farmers clearer rules, greater flexibility and practical pathways to recovery without unnecessary economic losses.
The measures, which take effect upon publication in the Government Gazette, replace the 2019 FMD Contingency Plan, subsequent amendments and related protocols. For the first time, South Africa will have a single, integrated set of national control measures covering everything from outbreak detection through to recovery.
Vaccinated animals may be traded and moved normally
One of the most important clarifications in the new framework is the confirmation that animals that have been vaccinated but have never been infected – and have not been subject to quarantine – remain healthy animals. They may continue to be traded and moved under normal requirements.
Trade pathways open during quarantine
Rather than blanket restrictions that prolong economic hardship, the new measures establish science-based timelines allowing livestock producers to resume certain activities once transmission risk has been adequately managed.
Animals may be moved to designated FMD abattoirs from 16 days after a property has been declared clinically clear. After 42 days, broader slaughter options become available, including access to export-approved facilities.
“The objective is simple: Protect animal health and stop the disease spreading, while ensuring farmers can continue operating safely wherever possible. Disease control and economic sustainability cannot be treated as mutually exclusive goals,” Minister Steenhuisen said.
Less wastage under science-based approach
The updated measures significantly reduce the unnecessary destruction of animal products and agricultural inputs. Advances in scientific understanding of the FMD virus have shown certain materials do not pose a risk for as long as previously believed, meaning fewer products need to be destroyed.
Feed, fodder and manure will similarly be managed according to scientifically established risk periods rather than blanket disposal requirements – reducing financial losses while maintaining food safety and disease control standards.
Also read: KZN completes FMD vaccinations in eThekwini as campaign surpasses 1.1 million animals
End to blanket whole-herd removal
Under the previous framework, entire herds often had to be removed before quarantine could be lifted. The new measures offer producers several pathways to achieve recovery and lift quarantine restrictions.
Depending on circumstances, farms may remove animals, restock with vaccinated animals or restock with animals from FMD-free sources – providing significantly greater flexibility and reducing the financial devastation that can result from whole-herd depopulation.
“For many farmers, particularly those operating under difficult financial conditions, the prospect of losing an entire herd can be devastating. These measures introduce practical alternatives that are scientifically sound and economically realistic,” Steenhuisen said.
Also read: North West vaccinates more than 772 000 animals in fight against FMD
Communal and peri-urban farmers get dedicated provisions
For the first time, the framework includes specific provisions for communal and peri-urban livestock systems. Previous approaches were largely designed around commercial farming operations and did not adequately account for shared grazing areas, multiple ownership arrangements and different movement patterns common in communal areas.
The new measures recognise these realities and establish practical mechanisms for quarantine management and targeted vaccination programmes tailored to local disease risks.
Streamlined procedures and faster decisions
Several practical improvements have been introduced to make disease management more efficient. Well-fenced farms may now manage outbreaks within affected portions of a property rather than automatically subjecting entire operations to full quarantine. Larger properties with clearly separated production units will benefit from more risk-based movement controls.
Veterinary procedures for declaring herds clinically clear have been streamlined, and defined response timelines have been introduced for farmers seeking authorisation to move products, along with escalation mechanisms where decisions are delayed.
Biosecurity requirements have also been strengthened, with precautionary controls now extended to situations where FMD is suspected – not only where infection has been confirmed.
Also read: Free State urges farmers to report suspected FMD as outbreak reaches 620 cases
Measures developed through broad collaboration
The new framework is the product of collaboration between the Department of Agriculture, the Ministerial Task Team, the FMD Industry Coordination Council and veterinary experts from across the sector.
“These measures reflect the latest scientific evidence, recognise the realities facing farmers on the ground and provide a balanced framework that protects animal health while limiting economic disruption,” Steenhuisen said.
The Department will conduct a formal review of the measures within 12 months of implementation.
Also read:
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