North West has vaccinated more than one million cattle against foot-and-mouth disease, reaching 74% of the province’s estimated cattle population. The campaign, which began in early March, aims to achieve 80% herd immunity by the end of August. MEC Madoda Sambatha praised veterinary teams but warned farmers against complacency, stressing a second round of vaccinations will be needed to ensure full protection.

The recent out-of-court settlement allowing private procurement of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines has been welcomed by farmers desperate to protect their herds. But every opportunity also creates an opening for criminals. Scammers are already advertising fake vaccines on social media, and the real danger is not just financial loss – counterfeit or unauthorised vaccines could fail to protect animals or introduce new virus strains into South African herds. Maile Matsimela argues the industry must act now to build safeguards before scammers scale up.

Scammers are advertising FMD vaccines for sale on social media, but no private individual in South Africa is legally allowed to sell the vaccine. RMIS CEO Dewald Olivier warns farmers to work only through their veterinarians. Meanwhile, the investigation continues into illegally imported Kenyan FMD vaccine containing A and O strains not present in South Africa – with reports of further shipments entering the country.

The Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) and global animal health company Biogénesis Bagó have announced a strategic collaboration to strengthen South Africa's response to foot-and-mouth disease. The partnership will focus on vaccination support, disease surveillance, producer education and field-based data sharing, combining RMIS's industry network with Biogénesis Bagó's scientific expertise to improve coordination across the red meat value chain.

KwaZulu-Natal’s agriculture department has tabled a R2.818 billion budget for 2026/27, with major investments in youth development, mechanisation, veterinary services and the continued fight against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). MEC Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa declared 2026 the Year of Youth in Agriculture, announcing a R7 million fund for youth-owned agribusinesses, 33 new tractors for farmer support, and R47 million for parasite control as the province pushes to vaccinate 80% of its 2.5 million cattle against FMD.

South Africa's state monopoly on FMD vaccines has ended after a court settlement between the agriculture department, Saai, Sakeliga and Free State Agriculture. Farmers can soon register through apps to become authorised vaccine buyers, with 40 million doses expected to arrive within two months. Each dose costs about R45 (excluding VAT), and veterinarians will handle distribution with QR code tracking to meet international reporting requirements. A booster round will be needed two-and-a-half to three months later.

KwaZulu-Natal has crossed the halfway mark in its mass FMD vaccination drive, with seven of the province's 11 districts now fully covered. The latest district, uThukela, saw 204 000 cattle vaccinated across 310 dip tanks – exceeding the area's official cattle census. Veterinary teams now turn to the final four districts, with a target of 80% herd coverage by end of August.

The Free State Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs has introduced strict biosecurity measures for IEC officials visiting farms during voter registration activities. The directive, issued by Head of Department TM Mabilo, requires all vehicles, equipment and footwear to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before entering and leaving every farm. Officials must minimise vehicle movement, avoid livestock areas and maintain records of farm visits and biosecurity measures undertaken. The move comes as South Africa continues to battle recurring FMD outbreaks, with government placing increased emphasis on biosecurity as a critical tool for limiting spread.

Authorised companies and individuals will now be able to procure foot-and-mouth disease vaccines directly from accredited international manufacturers, following a landmark out-of-court settlement between the Department of Agriculture and three agricultural organisations. The settlement, announced by Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp, ends government's exclusive control over FMD vaccine imports through Onderstepoort Biological Products. The litigation was brought by the Southern African Agri Initiative, Sakeliga and Free State Agriculture, which argued that farmers should be allowed to source vaccines directly from manufacturers. Government will retain regulatory oversight and continue procuring vaccines for state programmes and farmers who cannot afford them.

A study by Wageningen Bioveterinary Research has validated that BIOAFTOGEN® SAT1, a vaccine produced by Argentine company Biogénesis Bagó, provides 100% protection against the SAT1 topotype III strain of foot-and-mouth disease when administered in a two-dose regimen, and 86% protection with a single dose. The heterologous challenge study – the first independent global validation of cross-protection against the pandemic SAT1 topotype III variant – tested the vaccine against a viral strain different from the one used in its manufacture, demonstrating effectiveness against the genetic diversity circulating in endemic regions across Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Limpopo has vaccinated more than 504 000 animals against foot-and-mouth disease, with the province working to reach 80% of its domestic cloven-hoofed livestock by year-end. The vaccination campaign is under way across all five districts, with Vhembe placed under high surveillance due to livestock-wildlife interactions with buffalo straying from the Kruger National Park. The province has received 775 660 vaccine doses and is targeting 1.2 million animals by December. Authorities are urging farmers to continue reporting suspected cases, with all nine provinces expected to reach their 80% vaccination targets by early next year.

The Free State has confirmed 14 new cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), bringing the province's total to 648 confirmed cases across 19 local municipalities. Kroonstad has recorded the highest number of cases (119), followed by Heilbron (94), Frankfort (74), Bethlehem (67) and Sasolburg (64). Authorities have vaccinated 1 106 191 cattle as part of a risk-based vaccination strategy, but farmers are being urged to strengthen biosecurity measures, comply with movement restrictions and immediately report any suspected cases. Underreporting and non-compliance are criminal offences under the Animal Diseases Act.