By: Lerato Mutlanyane
A deadly, fast-spreading disease is decimating herds, sending shockwaves from farm to fork. As prices near the brink of soaring and supermarkets edge toward ration warnings, the outbreak has reached the halls of power, where political parties are diagnosing the crisis through starkly different lenses—not as a political battle but as an agricultural emergency. Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is highly contagious, primarily affecting cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and various wildlife species. It directly impacts livestock health, production, and trade, posing a significant threat to the farming and livestock industry. Symptoms include fever, blisters, lesions, lameness, reduced milk production, rapid breathing, and decreased appetite. Farmers are urged to control contact between infected and healthy animals and to ensure surfaces and environments are not contaminated. Preventative measures include isolation, supportive care, vaccination, culling, and strict biosecurity protocols. On 9 January 2026, the Free State Department of Agriculture and Land Reform reported 194 confirmed active cases across all 11 local municipalities, including Moqhaka, Ngwathe, Mestimaholo, Mafube, Dihlabeng, Nketoana, Phumelela, Maluti-A-Phofung, Matjhabeng, Nala, and Setsoto. KwaZulu-Natal, meanwhile, remains an epicenter with over 200 cases, according to the Farming Portal. The disease has now crossed into commercial beef and dairy herds as well as game farms targeting cloven-hoofed species. The South African red meat industry, valued at approximately R80 billion, faces immense pressure as prices fluctuate and farmers struggle to move animals to abattoirs, resulting in major financial losses. “Foot-and-mouth is a big problem, especially for upcoming farmers! They need income from selling stock, but the disease hinders them greatly. Some areas of the Free State are fortunate because they are not affected,” said farmer Barry Maree. He added, “Vaccines are also difficult to obtain. The government has done nothing over the past 14 years to secure vaccines. In short, government has been sitting on its hands.” However, Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen said the crisis is systemic, requiring significant change, financial commitment, and strict enforcement of animal movement controls. Towards the end of 2025, he announced the rollout of vaccination aimed at supplying 1 million doses. Logistical constraints, potency concerns, and the high number of animals to vaccinate pose significant challenges, with private sector involvement needed for long-term self-sufficiency. “South Africa’s path to regaining FMD-free status through vaccination will take years of sustained effort. Failure risks prolonged export bans, economic damage, and deepening rural hardship. For now, the nation watches as the most ambitious disease-control effort in modern history begins—impacting food security, rural stability, and the future of livestock farming,” stated the Farming Portal. Political parties have demanded urgent intervention for months, but progress appears slow. “Foot-and-mouth disease is no longer a distant threat—it is an active risk to farmers, food security, and the Free State economy. Urgent oversight, coordination, and accountability are needed. I have formally requested a joint meeting of the Legislature’s economic and governance committees to engage the Departments of Agriculture and Community Safety and key agricultural organisations. We need clarity on vaccine availability, testing delays, and animal movement controls. Delays and fragmented responses will only worsen the crisis,” said Armand Cloete, Free State Freedom Front Plus Chairperson. Thomas Macingwane, Provincial Deputy Chairperson of the Economic Freedom Fighters, added: “The Department of Agriculture’s lack of support for smallscale farmers has contributed to the rapid spread of contagious diseases. Most emerging farmers lack resources to vaccinate their livestock, delaying disease control. The Department focuses on established agricultural sectors, but neglecting the smallest farmers undermines the safety of the entire food chain.” Roy Jankielsohn, DA Free State Provincial Leader, said: “We are in contact with both local and national agriculture departments regarding farmers’ concerns. We are also concerned about the lack of enforcement of restrictions when FMD is identified. Municipalities have failed to control cattle on public lands, allowing them to move freely across boundaries without permits.” Dr. Waynard Boshoff, VF Plus National Leader and veterinarian, called for drastic action: “A state of disaster should be declared to contain FMD in the beef industry. Ministerial task teams’ recommendations have not been implemented since 2016. Declaring a state of disaster would secure additional public funds exclusively for disease control. Vaccine production capacity exists in South Africa, but it must be activated. The crisis escalated significantly under the current Minister; failure to act urgently would be unforgivable.” The fight against foot-and-mouth disease continues, with the nation awaiting decisive action from the national government.
