National Indaba Launched to Combat Foot and Mouth Disease in South Africa

South Africa has mobilized its top agricultural and veterinary minds in a determined effort to address the resurgence of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), which has severely impacted the country’s livestock sector and red meat trade. In response to the crisis, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, in partnership with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), the University of Pretoria, and Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP), has launched a two-day national Foot and Mouth Disease Indaba, beginning Monday, 21 July 2025, at the ARC-VIMP Campus in Roodeplaat, northeast of Pretoria.

A National Crisis: FMD Outbreaks Across Multiple Provinces

The current outbreak of FMD is one of the most widespread in recent memory, with confirmed cases in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and now the Free State. These outbreaks have triggered stringent livestock movement restrictions, halted trade in red meat exports, and dealt a severe blow to the multibillion-rand livestock industry.

Foot and Mouth Disease, a highly contagious viral infection affecting cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats, poses not only an animal health emergency but also a socioeconomic threat that could have far-reaching consequences if left unchecked.

Indaba Objectives: A United Front Against FMD

The Foot and Mouth Disease Indaba aims to create a unified, long-term approach to eradicate FMD from South Africa. Led by Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and Deputy Minister Nokuzola Capa, the event brings together:

• Veterinary scientists

• Agricultural economists

• Industry stakeholders

• Government and academic experts

This multi-sectoral collaboration is expected to generate practical policy recommendations and technical strategies that will guide the national response in the coming years.

According to the department, "The Indaba presents a vital opportunity to unite expertise and resources to effectively eradicate this devastating disease that continues to threaten South Africa’s broader economy."

Key Focus Areas of the Indaba

The program will explore scientific, regulatory, and operational approaches under the following focus areas:

• Biosecurity Enhancements: Developing stricter farm-level protocols to prevent outbreaks and reintroductions.

• Vaccination Strategy: Improving the reach, efficacy, and production of vaccines, including building on domestic capabilities at OBP.

• Movement Control: Reinforcing controls on the transportation of livestock across provinces and enhancing digital traceability systems.

• Research and Surveillance: Increasing investments in disease detection, genetic analysis, and surveillance capacity in hotspot areas.

• Stakeholder Education and Communication: Ensuring farmers, rural communities, and commercial producers are well-informed and trained in preventative practices.

Economic Consequences and Trade Disruption

The impact of FMD extends far beyond farm gates. The red meat industry, an integral part of South Africa’s agribusiness value chain, has suffered enormous losses due to trade embargoes and canceled export contracts. Markets that previously imported South African beef, lamb, and game meats have imposed temporary bans, significantly affecting revenue streams and jobs across the supply chain.

The economic threat posed by continued FMD outbreaks, especially for emerging farmers and export-oriented operations, makes an urgent and unified national response not only prudent—but essential.

A Collaborative Path Forward

In its official statement, the Department of Agriculture emphasized the importance of cultivating strong partnerships. “By bringing together government, academia, and industry, we aim to develop precise and effective measures that will eradicate the disease and safeguard the long-term sustainability of South Africa’s agricultural sector.”

The Foot and Mouth Disease Indaba marks a pivotal step forward in building resilient animal health systems, reviving trust in South Africa’s livestock industry, and restoring trade confidence at both domestic and international levels.

The outcomes of this national dialogue will be critical in shaping policies and operational tactics to eliminate FMD, protect livelihoods, and fortify the foundation of the country’s rural economy.