South Africa's ongoing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) crisis has indeed created a stark divide within the agricultural sector, pitting advocates for private-sector involvement against the government's insistence on centralised control.
Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen, in office since June 2024 (approximately 19 months as of January 2026), has declared FMD a national disaster and outlined a 10-year eradication plan, including mass vaccinations. However, he has faced sharp criticism for failing to provide a clear legal basis—under the Animal Diseases Act (Act 35 of 1984)—for restricting vaccine procurement and administration solely to the state, despite claiming to want to avoid litigation.
On one side, organisations like Sakeliga, Saai, and Vrystaat Landbou argue that bureaucratic delays and "red tape" have exacerbated the outbreak, which has affected over 261,000 animals in Gauteng alone and caused billions in losses through export bans and herd culls without compensation.They issued a formal demand on 26 January 2026 for written confirmation allowing private farmers to source and administer vaccines, but with no response by the 30 January deadline, they proceeded to court, accusing the minister of deliberate obstruction. Groups like AfriForum and TLU SA echo this, highlighting the private sector's ready expertise and capacity to act swiftly, while criticising long standing departmental inaction despite warnings dating back to 2019 outbreaks.
On one side, organisations like Sakeliga, Saai, and Vrystaat Landbou argue that bureaucratic delays and "red tape" have exacerbated the outbreak, which has affected over 261,000 animals in Gauteng alone and caused billions in losses through export bans and herd culls without compensation.They issued a formal demand on 26 January 2026 for written confirmation allowing private farmers to source and administer vaccines, but with no response by the 30 January deadline, they proceeded to court, accusing the minister of deliberate obstruction. Groups like AfriForum and TLU SA echo this, highlighting the private sector's ready expertise and capacity to act swiftly, while criticising long standing departmental inaction despite warnings dating back to 2019 outbreaks.
The organisations stress that the minister’s silence undermines the credibility of his earlier claims that he wished to avoid litigation. If he were genuinely convinced of the lawfulness of his decision, he could easily have responded with a written explanation — which would either have made litigation unnecessary or significantly simplified the process by eliminating unnecessary points of dispute and possibly even facilitating agreement. Instead, they argue, he has created delays and obstacles, a pattern they describe as common among state officials: a preference for prolonged court battles over swift, practical solutions.
On the other side, the government refuses to negotiate decentralisation, warning that private actions could undermine biosecurity, monitoring, and efforts to regain World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) FMD-free status—essential for exports. Steenhuisen has secured 2 million doses from Botswana and issued import permits for more from Turkey and Argentina, but insists litigation would divert resources during a critical rollout. Critics point to persistent departmental officials—who allegedly ignored early warnings—as a root cause of the crisis, fueling frustration amid economic devastation to meat, dairy, and rural livelihoods. With no resolution in sight, the split risks further polarisation as the outbreak spreads.
WEEKEND-VIEWPOINT- What Foot and Mouth cost our Farmers and consumers in South Africa
WEEKEND-VIEWPOINT- What Foot and Mouth cost our Farmers and consumers in South AfricaGauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi revealed on Tuesday that the province is the hardest hit, actively managing 195 laboratory-confirmed outbreaks as of 23 January 2026, with an estimated more than 261,000 animals affected across the province. The outbreak traces back to illegal cattle movements from KwaZulu-Natal in April 2025.
AgriSA, a major industry body, supports the national strategy, calling for unity and constructive engagement rather than confrontation, though it stops short of explicitly condemning the legal challenge.
AgriSA, a major industry body, supports the national strategy, calling for unity and constructive engagement rather than confrontation, though it stops short of explicitly condemning the legal challenge.
Sakeliga, SAAI, and Vrystaat Landbou officially announced litigation against Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen on 31 January 2026 due to his failure to provide written disclosure of the legal grounds for the ban on private procurement and administration of foot-and-mouth disease vaccines (FMD).With the deadline now expired, the organisations have instructed their attorneys to approach the court for a review and setting aside of the minister’s “manifestly unlawful” ban, as well as for any further or alternative relief that may be appropriate.
While the dispute unfolds, the real and immediate suffering falls on farmers and their livestock. The outbreak continues to spread aggressively across multiple provinces, with devastating daily impacts:
While the dispute unfolds, the real and immediate suffering falls on farmers and their livestock. The outbreak continues to spread aggressively across multiple provinces, with devastating daily impacts:
Gauteng remains one of the hardest-hit areas, actively managing 195 laboratory-confirmed outbreaks as of 23 January 2026, affecting an estimated more than 261,000 animals (both commercial and small-scale farms). Provincial interventions are underway, but the scale underscores rapid transmission and economic strain.
KwaZulu-Natal is the epicentre, with hundreds of outbreaks reported earlier in January, contributing to national figures exceeding thousands of cases in recent years.
Additional confirmations include 11 new outbreaks in Limpopo (with 58 suspected pending) as of late January, and high numbers in the Free State (around 194 confirmed cases reported in recent summaries).
KwaZulu-Natal is the epicentre, with hundreds of outbreaks reported earlier in January, contributing to national figures exceeding thousands of cases in recent years.
Additional confirmations include 11 new outbreaks in Limpopo (with 58 suspected pending) as of late January, and high numbers in the Free State (around 194 confirmed cases reported in recent summaries).
Nationwide, the crisis has escalated since 2019–2021 origins, with 2025 seeing record-high cases (over 24,000 reported), leading to massive losses: export bans, herd culls without full compensation, quarantines, market closures, and projected billions in damages to meat, dairy, and rural livelihoods.
On 30 January 2026, the South African government released new rules (Government Notice 7054 in Gazette 54037). These rules concern who is allowed to export certain agricultural products to the European Union in 2026 at lower or zero tariffs.In simple terms: The EU decides how many tonnes of products (such as certain fruits, wines, and juices) South Africa may send with this special low-cost or duty-free access. South Africa's Department of Agriculture then decides which farmers, exporters, or companies receive the permits to use that quota.The new rules give strong preference to companies with good B-BBEE scores (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment), while also considering previous export performance and other factors. This is a standard annual adjustment under the trade agreement with the EU.
Farmers face daily heartbreak—watching infected cattle suffer, be culled, or die untreated—while biosecurity restrictions limit movement and sales.
Farmers face daily heartbreak—watching infected cattle suffer, be culled, or die untreated—while biosecurity restrictions limit movement and sales.
The impasse leaves farmers bearing the brunt: immediate herd protection is slowed by state-only access, while litigation risks further division at a time when unity is needed. Every day without faster, broader action means more suffering for animals, more financial ruin for producers, and heightened food security risks for the country.
The urgency is clear—practical, collaborative solutions are needed now to halt the spread before losses become irreversible.
Want to join our popular weekly viewpoint? Contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.! You can make your own Viewpoint. - Our Professional civilized approach to your option is respected.
DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent. The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by CRA and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
