Announcing the allocation during the tabling of the 2025/26 adjustment appropriation budget on Tuesday (2/12), finance, economic development and tourism MEC Ketso Makume emphasised the urgency of curbing the outbreak.

The FF Plus welcomed the intervention, though MPL Armand Aucamp stressed the provincial allocation alone would not be enough. “FMD is basically a problem in the Free State.

“It’s good that they give us that money, but I also think that National Treasury and the national department also have a role to play when it comes to FMD. But it’s good, let’s see and hope that money will be spent the right way.”

Recent departmental reports state that 118 cases have been confirmed across the province. The department of agriculture and rural development has prioritised the vaccination of cattle, with additional vaccines recently procured to bolster containment measures.

Strict movement restrictions have been imposed on all farms within a 10 km radius of the infected areas.

These measures are in line with Government Gazette No. 51512 of 13 June 2025 and the Animal Diseases Act (Act 35 of 1984). Provincial authorities are calling on farmers, auctioneers, and livestock traders to follow the guidelines below to help stop the further spread of the disease:

• Restrict the movement of cloven-hoofed animals.
• Adhere strictly to biosecurity measures, including thorough disinfection of vehicles and equipment.
• Quarantine new livestock for 28 days before integrating them with existing herds.
• Maintain accurate records of all animal movements and farm visitors.
• Report any suspected cases immediately to the nearest state veterinary office, particularly animals showing symptoms such as excessive salivation, mouth lesions, or lameness.

The provincial government has emphasised that the allocated funds will go towards disease control, vaccinations, monitoring, and farmer support, as authorities work to contain one of the most significant FMD outbreaks the Free State has faced in recent years.

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OFM Agri/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cvs