Free State introduces strict FMD biosecurity rules for IEC voter registration on farms

The Free State Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs has introduced a comprehensive biosecurity plan aimed at preventing the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) during the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) voter registration activities on farms.

By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming

The directive, issued by Head of Department Tshepo Mthuli (TM) Mabilo, requires all IEC officials and support personnel visiting farms during the voter registration weekend to comply with strict biosecurity measures designed to protect the province’s livestock industry.

The move comes as South Africa continues to battle recurring FMD outbreaks, with government placing increased emphasis on biosecurity as one of the most effective tools to limit the spread of the highly contagious livestock disease.

Also read: FMD | Free State reports 14 new cases amid vaccination push

Clean vehicles and equipment mandatory

All vehicles entering farms must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before arrival. Officials are instructed to ensure vehicles are free of soil, mud, manure and plant material, while excessively dirty vehicles must be cleaned before travelling to farms.

Disinfection must cover tyres, wheel arches, mudguards, the undercarriage, running boards and any storage compartments that may have been exposed to farm environments. Officials are also required to repeat the process before entering each new farm.

Equipment used during registration – including electronic devices, registration kits, tables, chairs and portable gazebos – must also be disinfected before entering and after leaving every farm.

Disinfecting vehicles and people’s clothes and shoes are some of the important aspects that must be considered to limit the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. Photo: Carien Kruger

Strict movement controls on farms

The department has instructed IEC personnel to minimise vehicle movement on farms and to park only in designated areas identified by the farm owner or manager.

Officials may only use approved routes and are prohibited from unnecessary movement within farming operations. Access to livestock handling facilities, grazing camps, kraals and feedlots is prohibited unless specifically authorised by the farmer.

Similarly, the movement of registration officials on foot must be limited to areas necessary for voter registration. Entry into livestock areas should be avoided wherever possible, and officials may not handle livestock or come into direct contact with animals.

Also read: Free State urges farmers to report suspected FMD as outbreak reaches 620 cases

Clothing and footwear protocols

The biosecurity plan also places significant emphasis on personal hygiene. The department says officials visiting farms must wear clean clothing free of soil, manure and animal waste, while footwear such as gumboots or closed shoes must be cleaned and disinfected before entering farms.

Where available, designated disinfectant footbaths must be used, and disposable boot covers must be worn if required by the farm’s biosecurity protocols. Any contaminated clothing or footwear must be cleaned before being used on another farm.

Also read: FMD | New outbreaks confirmed in Free State; over 2 million animals vaccinated

Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility

The department reminds IEC officials that effective disinfection depends on using the correct dilution rates, removing dirt and organic material before applying disinfectants, thoroughly covering all surfaces and allowing sufficient contact time for disinfectants to work.

The department warns failure to follow these procedures could reduce the effectiveness of the disinfectants and increase the risk of transmitting FMD between farms. The plan also requires officials to maintain records of farm visits and the biosecurity measures undertaken during registration activities.