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Vaccine shortages are the biggest reason why South Africa has not been able to extinguish the flareups of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in several provinces, agricultural minister, John Steenhuisen, admitted during the first day of the national FMD Indaba currently underway at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC)’s Roodeplaat campus in Gauteng.
“Our FMD vaccine reserves were depleted and the production cycle was misaligned with the outbreak realities,” Steenhuisen said, adding that Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) currently lacks the infrastructure to produce FMD vaccines at the speed and scale required to respond to outbreaks.
“That was why OBP was necessitated to import vaccines from Botswana. But this can only be seen as a stopgap measure. It’s unsustainable for a country with South Africa’s livestock footprint and export ambition,” Steenhuisen said, adding that the department was working to stabilise OBP and to ensure that a minimum FMD vaccine stock level would be put in place to respond to future outbreaks.
Vaccine bank plans
Additionally, Steenhuisen said the department would commit to the commissioning of a vaccine bank, but added that private sector help would be needed to create such a bank. “This will be a nationally managed vaccine bank, but it must be jointly funded.”
Such a vaccine bank would not only house FMD vaccines, but also vaccines against other diseases such as lumpy skin disease, brucellosis, Rift Valley fever, and any other disease that could impact trade and production.
Lacking infrastructure to be addressed
Steenhuisen said the lack of infrastructure in protection zones also needs to be addressed. “As long as animals are moved illegally because there are no abattoirs or feedlots available in the area, we will never be able to enforce movement control.”
People will find a way to move animals, especially if their family’s survival depends on it. After all, if the price of an animal is higher outside the protection zone, the movement of that animal could mean the difference between a family being able to buy food for that week or being able to pay school fees.
“In essence, this boils down to a rural development issue. Therefore, we will ensure that funds are made available to build feedlots and abattoirs in these regions – especially in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal.
Private sector steps up
Dewald Olivier, CEO of Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), agreed that change was necessary as South Africa’s current biosecurity and disease control systems are unsustainable and threatening the country’s food security.
“Our gathering here is a shared acknowledgment that we can no longer rely on the way things have always been done. It’s not just unsustainable – it’s damaging our industry,” Olivier said, adding that he hoped the Indaba would be a turning point. “As the minister rightly said, we are being held hostage by a broken system. But we are also united by a shared opportunity – to reset, realign, and rebuild a system that protects our national herd, secures our market access, and upholds the dignity of every farmer, large or small, in every corner of our country.”
According to Olivier, the country must accept a few hard truths:
- The country is in a crisis.
- South Africa has lost its FMD-free status and vaccination must now become a key part of the strategy, not just as a short-term measure, but as a long-term solution.
- FMD threatens more than just exports. It threatens food security and puts producers’ sustainability at risk.
- Government veterinary services, though dedicated, do not have the capacity or resources to manage this crisis alone.
- The industry cannot afford another round of reactive, fragmented responses that damage both trust and trade.
“We can no longer rely on outdated frameworks and under-resourced systems to deal with cross-border disease threats. As the past few years have shown, FMD is not an isolated incident – it is a structural risk,” Olivier said, reaffirming the industry’s commitment to support government efforts – not in opposition, but in partnership. “This is not just about protecting a sector, it’s about saving an industry.”
Learning from the world
The global direction is clear when it comes to animal disease, Olivier said. “Outbreaks of transboundary animal diseases, including FMD, avian influenza, and African swine fever, are driving countries to rethink how they manage disease control.” In regions like Latin America, Europe, and Asia, vaccination is no longer viewed as a last resort. It’s now an essential part of a risk-based, zoned biosecurity strategy.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) is responding accordingly. Many countries have adopted compartmentalised vaccination protocols, supported by traceability and surveillance, to maintain trade and ensure stable production without compromising standards.
If South Africa wants to remain globally competitive, it must stop treating vaccination as a risk and start building a system around it – one that is science-based, legally sound, and trusted by the country’s trade partners, Olivier added.
A blueprint for structural reform
That is why the industry proposes a strategic plan to rebuild South Africa’s disease-control system.
The industry would like to see a South Africa where:
- Veterinary capacity is restored and strengthened through collaborative partnerships.
- Vaccine production is reliable and diverse, supported by both OBP and private sector partners.
- Traceability and movement control are enforced through a modern animal ID and permit system.
- Compartmentalisation and zoning enable market differentiation and maintain export continuity.
- Real-time data, diagnostics, certification, and auditing form the backbone of outbreak management and compliance.
Olivier said it is important to note that the programme is not limited to a single species. “It is inclusive, covering beef, dairy, pork, sheep, and goats.”
From concept to action
Olivier stated that they fully support the minister of agriculture’s call for a joint government-industry delegation to take this process forward but emphasised that this cannot be a symbolic structure. It must be empowered, accountable, and operate within clear timeframes.
This delegation must consolidate today’s recommendations, align them with current legal and operational frameworks, and deliver a credible, funded, and actionable plan within days – not years.
“Let us also be clear: While government must lead on regulatory reform, the industry will not remain on the sidelines. We are ready to co-finance vaccine procurement, invest in traceability infrastructure, support data platforms, and contribute to strengthening veterinary capacity through collaborative partnerships,” said Olivier.
A three-phased plan
Olivier stated the industry already has a phased plan ready. This includes:
- Immediate and short-term interventions to stabilise the crisis.
- A medium-term framework to build capacity and strengthen systems.
- A long-term vision to restore South Africa’s status as a credible and trusted supplier of livestock products to the world.
Industry’s commitment
On behalf of the industry, Olivier committed to work in collaboration with government and to put shared outcomes ahead of individual interests. The industry will also bring funding, systems, and practical solutions to the table.
“Above all we will act with the urgency that this moment demands. This Indaba cannot be just another roundtable. It must be the start of something real – a united path forward that brings clarity, stability, and hope to every part of our industry. Let us build a new foundation for biosecurity, trade, and lasting prosperity together. Not just for every role-player, but above all, for South Africa.” – Susan Marais, Plaas Media
