Steenhuisen argued that this would unlock stronger interventions to curb the spread of the disease and protect the livestock sector.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Steenhuisen said provinces including KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Free State and North West have been hardest hit by the outbreak, which has continued to undermine the country’s livestock industry since SA lost its FMD-free status in January 2019.
Nearly two million animals have been vaccinated so far, with government working alongside local and international partners to secure additional vaccine supplies. However, industry stakeholders caution that vaccination alone will not be sufficient to contain the disease.
Red Meat Industry Services Chief Executive Officer Dewald Olivier said declaring a state of disaster could enable broader government support, including assistance from law enforcement agencies, to strengthen animal movement controls.
He said such a declaration would open additional avenues within government to support containment efforts, particularly through enforcement and compliance measures. While details would still need to be finalised through Cabinet and Parliament, Olivier said the industry welcomed any intervention that could help stabilise the situation.
Despite progress with vaccinations, Olivier noted that coverage remains inadequate, with an estimated one million animals still needing to be vaccinated. He stressed that vaccines are not a “silver bullet” and must be complemented by strict biosecurity measures across the value chain.
According to Olivier, foot-and-mouth disease is unlikely to be fully eradicated in SA due to the presence of buffalo, which are natural carriers of the virus and cannot be vaccinated. As a result, long-term management and containment, rather than eradication, should be the primary focus.
Biosecurity measures, he said, are critical and include strict controls on animal movement, traceability of livestock, quarantine protocols for newly introduced animals and proper farm hygiene. Farmers need to know the origin of animals entering their herds and ensure that quarantine periods of up to 28 days are observed to allow symptoms to emerge.
He added that while commercial farmers may be better positioned to implement such measures due to fencing and infrastructure, communal farmers also face similar risks and require tailored support to manage animal introductions and disease control.
The loss of FMD-free status has had implications for SA’s export markets, although Olivier said the industry has managed to maintain access through bilateral agreements with key trading partners. These arrangements have allowed exports from compartments such as feedlots with strong biosecurity controls, despite the country’s overall status.
Domestically, the outbreak has placed a severe strain on livestock producers. Olivier emphasised that FMD poses no risk to human health and that meat from affected animals is safe for consumption. However, movement restrictions and stringent protocols have slowed the flow of animals to market, contributing to supply constraints and higher prices.
For farmers, the inability to move and sell animals has had serious financial consequences, threatening livelihoods and long-term sustainability in the sector. Olivier said maintaining farmers on their land and ensuring continuity of production must remain a priority as authorities weigh the declaration of a state of disaster and additional interventions to manage the outbreak.
–ChannelAfrica–
