SA farmers demand the right to privately vaccinate against Foot and Mouth Disease

AS THE THREAT of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) continues to weigh on South Africa's livestock sector, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has called for unity, warning that legal action could undermine efforts to contain the outbreak.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

AS THE threat of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) continues, Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has called for unity amid a threat of legal action against the department.

(I PHANDO JIKELO Parliament of RSA)

The call follows confirmation that business organisation Sakeliga and the Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai), together with Free State Agriculture, have sent letters of demand to the Department of Agriculture, seeking permission for farmers to privately procure and administer FMD vaccines.

The groups have warned that failure to comply could result in court action.

Sakeliga on Tuesday said the organisations had formally requested written confirmation that livestock owners and the private sector may vaccinate their animals according to their own risk-management decisions, without being blocked by what it described as State "gatekeeping and red tape".

"Our letter of demand requires the Minister, the Department, and the Chief Director of Veterinary Services to provide written confirmation that livestock owners and the private sector generally may procure and administer FMD vaccines according to their own risk management considerations without being blocked by state gatekeeping and red tape," it said.

"We have given the Minister and his colleagues until Friday 30 January 2026 by close of business to confirm whether they agree or not."