Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has acquired the primary cargo of 1 million high-potency Foot-and-Mouth Illness (FMD) vaccines.
He accepted the supply on Saturday, 21 February 2026, at OR Tambo Worldwide Airport.
The vaccines, sourced from Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina, mark the opening part of a nationwide vaccination marketing campaign geared toward defending South Africa’s livestock trade.
Steenhuisen stated a further 5 million doses are scheduled to reach in March.
Vaccination drive targets nationwide herd
The rollout kinds a part of the Division of Agriculture’s new 10-Yr Eradication Technique.
The plan goals to vaccinate greater than 14 million cattle and safe what Steenhuisen described as “FMD-Free Standing with Vaccination”.
He burdened that attaining this standing is crucial for restoring export markets and strengthening long-term biosecurity.
“In complete, by the top of March, we anticipate receiving greater than 5 million vaccines from three totally different suppliers,” Steenhuisen stated.
He added that authorities have already administered greater than 2 million doses, with every day vaccinations persevering with nationwide.
Ramaphosa declares FMD a nationwide catastrophe
In the course of the latest State of the Nation Handle, President Cyril Ramaphosa labeled Foot-and-Mouth Illness as a nationwide catastrophe, citing extreme financial dangers.
“We’ve got determined to vaccinate all the nationwide herd of 14 million cattle. This requires 28 million vaccines over the following few months,” Ramaphosa stated.
Steenhuisen welcomed the nationwide catastrophe declaration, saying it might allow a coordinated response.
He famous that South Africa misplaced its vaccine manufacturing functionality in 2005 and has since depended largely on imports, primarily from the Botswana Vaccine Institute.
Steenhuisen additionally confirmed that personal veterinarians could now register to manage vaccines beneath the Animal Ailments Act.
Authorities intention to vaccinate 80% of the nationwide herd by December.
“Defending agriculture is just not solely about farmers. It’s about defending financial progress, jobs and stability,” Steenhuisen stated.
