The Southern Africa Agricultural Initiative (SAAI) has called on the South African (SA) government to take urgent and decisive action to tackle the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, describing it as the worst livestock crisis since the Anglo-Boer War.
The disease, which first emerged in KwaZulu-Natal, has spread to Free State, Mpumalanga and other provinces, severely affecting beef production, exports and prices. Significant outbreaks were reported in 2024 and 2025, leaving many farmers struggling to contain the virus.
Dr Theo de Jager, Executive Board Chairperson of SAAI, urged the establishment of special financing mechanisms to support affected farmers and called for regulatory reforms that would allow the private sector to take a leading role in disease control strategies.
“The biggest single challenge in combating this disease is that it remains state-controlled,” De Jager said. “Farmers are frustrated with government officials’ inability to respond effectively. Many can do little beyond implementing biosecurity measures to protect their farms and cattle herds.”
SAAI warned that without stronger government intervention and collaboration with the private sector, the livestock industry could face long-term economic damage, threatening both local livelihoods and SA’s beef exports.
–ChannelAfrica–
