Call for speed, flexibility in fight against Foot-and-Mouth Disease

An animal science expert has called for speed, flexibility, open mindedness and “practical support” for the affected industries on the part of the government in its management of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) ravaging parts of the country.

“Government should be open to accepting assistance from all capable partners, including farmers themselves and private veterinarians, who can help vaccinate more than 12 million animals in a shorter time.

“This is not a moment for rigid adherence to convention. The reality is that we are already far behind; the fact that we are still debating vaccines in the midst of an active outbreak clearly shows that we were not proactive enough to prevent reaching this point. We simply cannot afford a business-as-usual approach in the face of the current crisis,” said Dr Ntuthuko Mkhize, a senior animal science lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Mkhize was commenting on the FMD outbreak that has reached crisis levels in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and has spread to other provinces – including Gauteng, where fears of a crisis developing have been raised due to the province’s high density factor.

Asked to comment on Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen’s firm stance against a “vaccine free-for-all”, Mkhize said he understood “both sides, to some extent” – the need to centralised vaccination under national government, and those calling for flexibility and private-sector involvement in vaccine procurement and administration.

“My challenge is that I understand both sides, to some extent. On the one hand, I sympathise with livestock farmers who are desperate to have their animals vaccinated and their FMD status revised so they can return to business. On the other hand, the government’s intentions are clearly well-meaning and aimed at restoring long-term stability.

“What is needed now is deeper and more practical collaboration between industry and government on how this vaccination programme will be rolled out. If adjustments to the existing policy and regulatory framework governing the management of this specific FMD outbreak are necessary, let that be seriously and carefully considered,” he said.

Local vaccine production

Mkhize welcomed the news of South Africa’s return to local FMD vaccine production last week, saying it should offer “a sense of hope” to everyone affected. He said the commitment to secure vaccines sufficient to cover approximately 80% of the national herd by this time next year “clearly demonstrates seriousness and resolve” on the part of the government and the Agricultural Research Council to support farming communities. However, this was “not a moment for extended celebration”, he said.

“Farmers remain under severe pressure, and the plan presented by government indicates that the sector may still have to endure restrictive control measures for another year. Many farmers simply do not have the luxury of 12 months. For some, businesses may collapse long before that point, with significant job losses and livelihoods at risk.

“It is therefore critical that the rollout and implementation plans ensure active involvement of all stakeholders, and that every possible mechanism is explored to shorten this period. Speed, coordination, and practical support on the ground will be just as important as the availability of the vaccine itself.”

Mkhize said the government’s 10-year strategy to reclaim the country’s FMD-free status is “technically sound” and in line with international best practice, but its success will depend mainly on implementation capacity, enforcement, and coordination across all three tiers of government. He said he foresaw “some challenges in execution on the ground”.

“It is encouraging that government has correctly shifted from short-term reactive crisis ‘fire-fighting’ to a structured, phased, long-term approach. Their emphasis on zoning, compartments, protection of free areas, and regaining trade through risk-based management reflects a mature understanding of WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health) requirements. Importantly, the strategy recognises that FMD control is not purely a veterinary issue, but one that intersects with land use, wildlife management, communal farming systems, and market access.”