Over the past month in our weekly viewpoint, we have repeatedly called for greater unity among all farming organisations, companies, and individual farmers. We have always believed that the agricultural sector’s strength lies in standing together, especially when confronting major challenges such as the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak and other pressing issues affecting producers across the country. The settlement agreement between the Department of Agriculture, Free State Agriculture, SAAI, and Sakeliga is therefore a welcome and significant development. It paves the way for private importation and administration of FMD vaccines, effectively ending the state’s monopoly on the process and following a recent High Court ruling that affirmed farmers’ rights in this regard. This agreement marks the start of what can become a new era of practical cooperation and tangible progress in the fight against FMD.
However, while we celebrate this breakthrough, we must also note a concern. Since the announcement, there has been a noticeable silence from several other key parties involved.We also have not seen any response from government or their special appointee for agriculture, nor from some of the companies that do business with farmers. We look forward to seeing this support from them to assist our farmers, with whom they do millions of rands worth of business every year.
"True unity requires more than a signed settlement — it demands ongoing, visible commitment and clear communication from all stakeholders.
We urge all parties — government, farming organisations, commercial partners, and producers — to build on this positive momentum.
“We reached this settlement because we spoke with each other, not about each other,”said Willie Aucamp, the new Minister of Agriculture.
In a article of News 24 Pieter Du Toit wrote the shift has caused unease in mainstream agriculture. Critics note that the Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp went to AfriForum and the three lobby groups first, but has not yet had substantive meetings with AgriSA or Afasa. AgriSA is the country’s largest farm body, a federal organization with provincial unions and commodity groups, and works closely with Afasa, which represents black farmers. Together they are seen as occupying the political middle ground and have a long record of cooperation, skills transfer and joint development — including projects like the National Wool Growers’ Association where black family farmers now produce over 16% of SA’s export wool. READ MORE
FMD-Free With Vaccination: WOAH Wants Immunity, Not Optimism
The sector needs consistent collaboration, transparency, and follow-through if we are to successfully control FMD, stabilise livestock markets, and strengthen the entire agricultural value chain.This agreement is an important first step. Let it now become the foundation for broader unity and collective action that delivers real results for South African farmers. We remain committed to promoting this united approach in the weeks and months ahead.
The settlement is expected to restore confidence among livestock producers, improve biosecurity measures, and help stabilise supply chains in the beef and dairy sectors, which have been under pressure from movement restrictions and production challenges. Coming shortly after the minister took office, the agreement marks a constructive shift in relations between the department and industry stakeholders.While some legislative and implementation details still need finalisation, the settlement is seen as an important step toward more effective long-term FMD control and broader agricultural recovery.
Further updates on the rollout of the vaccination programme and movement controls are expected soon.
INITY make Agriculture and its people strong. We need to stand together.
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