The Agriculture Department will roll out millions of vaccine doses from early next year in the provinces that the foot and mouth disease outbreak has affected the most.  

It says other provinces will then follow.  

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen made the announcement at the African Farmers Association of South Africa leadership and partnership conference in Pretoria. 

Breaking Agricultural News

Today, Minister John Steenhuisen announced a major policy shift that will reshape South Africa’s livestock sector for the future.

Government will vaccinate the entire national herd against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), a decisive step to… pic.twitter.com/dFTWdGi02T

— National Department of Agriculture (@DOAgov_ZA) November 26, 2025

In a statement, the Minister states that he acknowledges the immense hardship faced by the farmers across the entire country as they continue to battle one of the most persistent and damaging waves of Foot and Mouth disease (FMD)  the country has seen in decades.

“As a minister, I want our farmers to know that I see the impact this outbreak is having on their families, businesses and communities. I understand their frustration  and I share their determination to end this crisis.”

As of November 2025, KwaZulu-Natal has remained the epicentre of FMD with 180 of 274 unresolved outbreaks, reportedly national, despite the vaccination of 931 200 animals with government-procured vaccine stocks over the three months. Uncontrolled movements continue to undermine containment efforts and prolong the crisis.

I can announce that the Department of Agriculture has resolved to implement a comprehensive strategy to vaccinate the entire national herd. This strategy aims to vaccinate South Africa’s national herd systematically, beginning with the hardest-hit provinces. pic.twitter.com/rBjnNokHLZ

— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) November 26, 2025

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