South Africa’s Livestock at a Crossroads: The Urgent Fight Against Foot-and-Mouth Disease

South Africa’s livestock industry is teetering on the edge. As foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) continues to flare up across key farming provinces, the economic toll is mounting—and the country’s ambitions for export growth are beginning to unravel.

Source: Dairy Global

The cost of inaction is staggering. Farmers are not only facing financial losses, but the very foundation of the agricultural value chain is under threat. Small and medium-scale livestock producers, in particular, face increasing isolation as major feedlots grow wary of sourcing animals from regions vulnerable to outbreaks. Without meaningful change, the divide between commercial and emerging farmers will only deepen.

What’s needed now isn’t more discussion—it’s decisive action. The containment strategy must go beyond encouraging vigilance and behavioral shifts. South Africa has reached a point where nationwide vaccination must be seriously considered, not as a last resort, but as a sustainable pathway forward. Countries like Brazil have taken this route and not only regained control over the disease but also preserved their standing in global export markets.

A coordinated vaccination effort, however, will only succeed with strong buy-in from across the sector. Large feedlots must come to the table, as they play a critical role in linking smaller producers to formal markets. Without their support, the potential benefits of mass vaccination—and the broader biosecurity strategy—could unravel.

On the ground, immediate steps can’t be delayed. The infected zones, particularly in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal, require around-the-clock monitoring at fenced-off areas. These were recommendations made three years ago by the Biosecurity Task Team—yet they remain unfulfilled. One must ask: why haven’t provincial officials implemented them?

The risk is not only financial—it’s reputational. Global markets are watching. In 2022, China suspended wool imports from South Africa over FMD fears, despite the fact that outbreaks were limited to cattle. More recently, the UK followed suit. The sheep industry, which has had no recorded cases, is now paying the price for misperception driven by inaction.

All of this points to one truth: protecting exports requires more than reactive measures. It demands investment in vaccine production and infrastructure. Currently, all FMD vaccines used in South Africa are imported from Botswana, as the once-respected Onderstepoort Biological Products facility has declined due to corruption and poor management. Though there are promising efforts to revive the OBP, meaningful production gains are still a long way off.

To meet the demand for a national vaccination campaign, private sector labs must be brought into the fold. Their involvement could be the linchpin in establishing a steady, high-volume supply of vaccines—and a crucial step in reasserting South Africa’s credibility in international markets.

Foot-and-mouth disease isn’t just a veterinary issue; it’s an economic and reputational emergency. Every delay carries consequences. South Africa stands at a crossroads: either take bold steps now or continue to watch doors close in the global marketplace.