FMD: Government plans national vaccination of SA’s cattle herd

Pretoria, Gauteng, SA – In response to “one of the most persistent and damaging waves of foot and mouth disease (FMD) the country has seen in decades”, the Department of Agriculture plans to vaccinate the entire national cattle herd, according to a press release on 26 November.

FMD affects the leather value chain because reduced slaughter means fewer hides for the tanning industry.

The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, said a national cattle herd vaccination would position SA to apply to the World Organisation of Animal Health (WOAH) for recognition of freedom with vaccination status.

“This strategy aims to vaccinate South Africa’s national herd systematically, beginning with the hardest-hit provinces, namely: KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga and North West, which will submit their livestock numbers, as well as their number of quarantined farms. This plan, however, will rely on a consistent, high-quality vaccine supply.

“To this end, Minister Steenhuisen confirmed that the government is working closely with the Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) on the formalisation of public-private partnerships with domestic industry and international partners, including China and Argentina, who have already offered technical cooperation and support regarding vaccine provision.

“Minister Steenhuisen further stressed that the success of the FMD response depends not only on vaccines but also on law enforcement. Uncontrolled movement of animals remains the single biggest threat to the national containment efforts.”