The Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has announced a vaccination drive for the entire national cattle herd against foot‑and‑mouth disease, at scale and at speed.

He made this announcement at the African Farmers Association of South Africa leadership and partnership conference in Pretoria on Wednesday.

Steenhuisen says millions of doses will be rolled out from early next year in the hardest‑hit provinces first.

“The Ministry of Agriculture has made a policy change, and that we will be moving to vaccinate the entire national herd in South Africa, against what’s now coming. This is going to be essential if we are to get on top of the disease. What we have been doing today has not worked.”

Steenhuisen adds, “We are trying to put up little blazes all around the country where we’re pacing an inferno across the province. We intend to apply to the World Organisation of Animal Health. Once the vaccine rollout has reached sufficient scale, to be recognised as foot and mouth free with vaccination.”

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

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