South Africa Reaches Agreement to Strengthen Foot-and-Mouth Disease Response

South Africa's Minister of Agriculture, Willie Aucamp, has welcomed a settlement agreement aimed at improving the country's response to the ongoing Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak. The agreement follows negotiations between the Department of Agriculture, agricultural organisations and other parties involved in a legal dispute over disease control measures.

The settlement ends the legal case and provides a framework for closer cooperation between government and the livestock industry. The minister said the agreement would support effective disease management while addressing the needs of livestock farmers and strengthening confidence in the agricultural sector.

A key part of the agreement allows owners and managers of cloven-hooved livestock to voluntarily vaccinate their animals against Foot-and-Mouth Disease. Farmers must comply with biosecurity rules, legal requirements, animal traceability standards and reporting obligations to ensure proper monitoring of the vaccination programme.

Minister Aucamp described the agreement as an important step for South Africa's agricultural industry, saying collaboration between government and stakeholders made the outcome possible. He added that the measures will help improve disease control, protect livestock production and support the long-term growth of the country's agricultural economy.