Numerous pleas for help have come from commercial to communal farmers who have borne the heavy burden of the recent foot-and-mouth outbreaks in the country. However, “achieving FMD-free status is a monumental task that will not happen overnight”, Steenhuisen said.

The department’s strategy will be phased over ten years, beginning with stabilisation and consolidation, before moving toward the eventual withdrawal of vaccination and final recognition of freedom through the World Organisation for Animal Health. “This is a long-term commitment to the health of our economy and the security of our food supply,” said Steenhuisen.

Minister John Steenhuisen calls for cooperation from every citizen. Photo: Facebook

The strategy won’t be “a temporary patch”, he said, but “a comprehensive control and eradication programme designed to interrupt virus transmission and protect the national herd. The success of the strategy will strongly rely on an urgent review of the legislative framework.”

It’s built on world-class technical principles with targeted vaccination, which includes prioritizing high-risk zones and reducing outbreak incidence within twelve months by more than 70% vaccination. “High-quality vaccines with high-potency will be used during this campaign, especially. 

Partnerships with global leaders … will ensure that there is a reliable supply,” Steenhuisen added.

‘Instructed to send the latest field strains to Pirbright Institute as a matter of urgency’

Since the outbreak, vaccines were procured from the Botswana Vaccine Institute, and that will continue. The permit needed to secure the Dollvet vaccine from Turkey is secured.

Locally, a production line through the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and Onderstepoort Biological Products will initially produce 20,000 doses per week, scaling up to 960,000 doses. The ARC has been instructed to send the latest field strains to Pirbright Institute as a matter of urgency, Steenhuisen said.

All FMD vaccines to be used in South Africa will have full antigenic matching at Pirbright against South Africa’s current field strains to allow comparison of the various vaccines. This will allow South Africa to select the best vaccines for controlling the disease.

South Africa will select the best vaccines to control the foot-and-mouth disease. Photo: Pexel

Surveillance and movement control will be enhanced. Through the red meat industry services operational centre, the department utilises a real-time digital heat map to track verified cases and suspected outbreaks within a 10km radius.

“KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Free State and North West were identified as the hardest hit provinces. Interventions include the immediate mass vaccination across affected districts, repeated within three months, 100% vaccination of feedlots and dairy cows, 90% commercial and 80% communal animals,” Steenhuisen said.

“We need our farmers to work hand-in-hand with state veterinarians, report clinical signs immediately and strictly adhere to movement controls. Together, we can ensure a resilient and FMD-free South Africa.”

• Share your agriculture news: agri@ofm.co.za.

OFM Agri/Isabel van Tonder mvh