South Africa's government has announced a nationwide vaccination campaign targeting its entire 7.2 million cattle herd to combat ongoing foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks. The initiative, led by Minister John Steenhuisen, aims to secure international recognition and protect the livestock industry. Rollout will begin early next year, starting with the hardest-hit provinces.
On 26 November 2025, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen announced a major policy shift at the African Farmers Association of South Africa conference in Pretoria. The government will vaccinate the entire national cattle herd against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), moving away from previous containment efforts that have proven ineffective.
"The Ministry of Agriculture has made a policy change, and that we will be moving to vaccinate the entire national herd in South Africa, against what’s now coming. This is going to be essential if we are to get on top of the disease. What we have been doing today has not worked," Steenhuisen stated. The Department of Agriculture plans to apply to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) for recognition as FMD-free with vaccination once the rollout reaches sufficient scale.
South Africa's cattle herd numbers about 7.2 million, including commercial and subsistence farms. By February 2026, the department expects delivery of two million vaccine doses in two consignments. To reduce reliance on imports, a new mid-scale vaccine production facility is under development as part of the national biosecurity programme. Over the past three months, 931,200 animals have been vaccinated using government stocks, but uncontrolled animal movements continue to hinder containment.
The crisis is most severe in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), with 180 of the 274 unresolved outbreaks there, particularly in districts like Kokstad, Dundee, Underberg, and Dannhauser. Other affected provinces include Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, and North West, which must submit livestock numbers and quarantined farm lists. The strategy prioritizes these areas first.
Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz), praised the move: "This decision is courageous, as it ensures that South Africa protects its cattle herd and can continue its red meat export focus. The challenge now will be the logistics of this work, as well as reengaging the markets we export to."
The government's capacity has been weakened by the decline of Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP). Efforts include public-private partnerships with the Agricultural Research Council and international partners like China and Argentina for vaccine support. No cost estimates were provided, but the initiative seeks to safeguard beef exports, farmer finances, and red meat prices amid the crisis.