Key Takeaways:
- Another case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has been identified in the Eastern Cape, specifically in the Amahlati Local Municipality.
- The disease has been isolated on a positive PCR lab test, and the source of the infection is still unknown.
- KwaZulu-Natal is considered the epicentre of FMD, and the government aims to deliver two million doses of FMD vaccines by February next year.
- The industry is calling for urgent action to combat FMD, citing the need for trade agreements and the high cost of vaccines.
- Farmers are expected to pay R300 per head for FMD vaccines, which is considered excessive by some industry leaders.
Introduction to FMD Outbreak
The recent identification of another case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the Eastern Cape has raised concerns about the spread of the disease in South Africa. The case was identified in the Amahlati Local Municipality, in the Amathole District, and was confirmed through a positive PCR lab test. According to Chief State Veterinarian Dr Ayla Newmarch, the animal was born and raised in the village where it was identified, and backward tracing has yielded little information about the source of the infection. The owner of the animal has not introduced new animals or traveled recently, and the animals in the communal setting graze together, making it difficult to determine the source of the infection.
Epicentre of FMD
KwaZulu-Natal is considered the epicentre of FMD, and the government has committed to delivering two million doses of FMD vaccines by February next year. Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has emphasized the importance of combating FMD, and the industry is calling for urgent action to address the crisis. Beefmaster Group CEO Gert Blignaut has welcomed the government’s commitment but notes that time is of the essence. He emphasizes that the industry cannot afford delays and that trade agreements are needed to allow products from vaccinated herds to enter export markets.
Impact on the Industry
The FMD outbreak has had a significant impact on the beef industry, with prices increasing by around 15% between February and May 2025. This increase was driven by scarcity rather than panic or disease-related disruptions. Blignaut notes that while global supply dynamics supported better pricing, FMD continues to be one of the most significant threats to the industry. The disease has spread throughout the country and has aggressively entered the feedlot industry, spiking cattle prices by an additional 10%. FMD makes it difficult for the industry to compete economically, adding direct costs and distorting prices in a way that ultimately impacts the consumer.
Vaccine Costs and Funding
The cost of FMD vaccines is a significant concern for farmers, with the Department of Agriculture expecting farmers to pay R300 per head. However, industry leaders such as Dr Theo de Jager, Executive Board Chairman of the Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai), argue that this cost is excessive. De Jager notes that the Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) has purchased vaccines for R60 per dose, and that more effective, modern vaccines from Brazil and Turkey are even cheaper. He argues that the state should carry the full cost of its own failure, rather than expecting farmers to foot the bill.
Call for Private Sector Partnership
De Jager also emphasizes the need for a partnership between the private sector and the government to combat FMD. He notes that the department does not have the capacity to manage the crisis and that a partnership led by the private sector, free from ideological considerations, corruption, and party-political interests, is crucial. Dr Jaco De Villiers, of the Red Meat Action Group, agrees, stating that the solution to FMD lies in establishing compartments and controlling the ground level, rather than relying on centralized data control or monopolization. He emphasizes the need for simple, effective measures to control the spread of the disease, with state veterinarians and officials taking orders from industry leaders rather than politicians.