Photo of a vet for illustration purposes only. (Photo: Jeff Pachoud / AFP).
John Steenhuisen, the minister of agriculture, announced an important new chapter in the fight against foot-and-mouth disease with the official intention to publish the routine vaccination scheme for foot-and-mouth disease (RVS-FMD) in the Government Gazette.
This draft scheme, drawn up under section 10 of the Animal Diseases Act (no. 35 of 1984), represents a far-reaching shift towards a voluntary, nationwide framework to tackle one of the most economically damaging viral diseases in the livestock industry.
According to Steenhuisen, the concept RVS-FMD was specifically designed to facilitate coordinated vaccinations for cloven-hoofed animals. The Department of Agriculture aims to have a formal structure for routine vaccination to mitigate disease risks and ensure that business operations for participating farmers and livestock owners can continue without interruption.
Partnership and shared responsibility
Steenhuisen placed the emphasis on cooperation between the state and the private sector and indicated that the scheme ushers in a new era of shared responsibility.
“The objective of this scheme is to mitigate the risk of foot and mouth disease and create an enabling environment for continued business operations for participants.
“This scheme is about partnership. Through mechanisms for cost sharing and a phased implementation, we promote fair participation to secure the agricultural economy.”
Surveillance and traceability as cornerstones
The proposed scheme is not merely a guideline, but brings several crucial oversight and operational mechanisms to the table.
To ensure successful participation, transparency and record keeping are non-negotiable. (Photo: Canva)
A dedicated committee will be formed and will consist of veterinarians from the state and the private sector, experts in virology and vaccination, and representatives from various agricultural organisations, including the dairy, feedlot, small livestock and pig industries.
To ensure successful participation, transparency and record keeping are non-negotiable. All animals must be identified and registered on a national traceability system. This includes methods such as branding, tattooing or electronic ear tags to ensure that each animal’s life cycle and vaccination status is closely monitored.
In addition, the scheme requires strict supervision of the receipt of vaccines, the management of the cold chain and the specific vaccination techniques used.
Voluntary participation with strict requirements
Although enrollment in the scheme is voluntary and open to livestock owners across the country, it comes with clear obligations. Participants must adhere to strict biosecurity measures and will be subject to regular audits to maintain their status.
The department regards this step as a crucial step forward in South Africa’s continued effort to bring foot-and-mouth disease under control. This leads the country away from reactive containment towards a proactive, risk-based system built on partnership, traceability and accountability.
“By uniting industry and government around a shared framework for vaccination and biosecurity, the scheme strengthens our ability to reduce outbreaks, protect the national herd and restore confidence in our livestock sector,” says Steenhuisen.
“In doing so, it marks a significant leap forward in our war against foot-and-mouth disease, which lays the foundation for long-term resilience, improved market access and the eventual return to internationally recognized disease-free status with vaccination.”
Opportunity for comment
The department further appealed to all interested parties to submit their comments or representations regarding the proposed scheme. The notice was published in the Government Gazette on 10 April and interested parties have seven calendar days from this date to provide their input. Submissions should be addressed to Dr. EM Mogajane at the foot and mouth command center via the email address (email protected)