South Africa Faces Foot-and-Mouth Disease Crisis Amid Governance Challenges

South Africa is facing a severe foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) crisis that threatens food security, livestock exports, and the stability of the agricultural sector. What started as a disease outbreak has now exposed deep governance and leadership conflicts within the Department of Agriculture, raising concerns over the country’s ability to manage the epidemic effectively.

The crisis escalated when Nick Serfontein, mega-farmer and chairperson of the Sernick Group, publicly accused the government of failing to implement industry-developed strategies. His criticism prompted a response from the ministerial task team, which pointed to two senior veterinary officials, Dr Mpho Maja, director of animal health, and Dr Mike Modisane, chief director of animal production and health, as blocking urgent action. These officials control approvals for FMD protocols, vaccine import permits, and national disease-control strategies, meaning no plan can move forward without their signatures.

Dr Dirk Verwoerd, a veterinarian at Karan Beef Feedlot, and Dr Danie Odendaal, director of the Veterinary Network, warned that delays in approvals are exacerbating the spread of the disease. Vaccine shortages have already crippled response efforts, with 650,000 doses procured from Botswana sitting unused at Onderstepoort Biological Products pending departmental clearance.

On 26 November, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen announced a plan to vaccinate the entire national cattle herd, with two million doses expected by February and 1.5 million locally manufactured. While the announcement was welcomed, Serfontein expressed skepticism, citing ongoing delays in timelines, budgets, and resources. He warned that unless the private sector drives the programme, many farmers could face bankruptcy.

The ministerial task team, made up of 30 leading veterinarians and experts, proposed a preventative vaccination strategy that moves away from reactive, outbreak-by-outbreak control. Their plan includes broad preventive vaccination, repeated booster programmes, early activation of vaccine reserves, emergency access to alternative suppliers, and updated standardised protocols. However, the plan remains stalled without approval from Maja and Modisane, leaving the country vulnerable to further outbreaks.

The dairy sector is particularly at risk. The Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO) warned that KwaZulu-Natal, which produces 30% of the country’s milk, faces an escalating outbreak with insufficient vaccines. The MPO also raised concerns about delays in approving the Dollvet FMD vaccine import permit and criticized the long-standing failure to submit FMD field strains to the Pirbright Institute, limiting international support and vaccine innovation.

In response, Odendaal published an open letter to veterinarians nationwide, highlighting years of poor management, weakened disease-control structures, compromised surveillance, and administrative paralysis within the state veterinary system. He called for decisive leadership, emphasizing that farmers cannot plan, invest, or grow under these conditions.

Minister Steenhuisen confirmed he is investigating claims of obstruction by Maja and Modisane but stated that vaccination has begun and a plan is in place. Modisane said his role ensures financial prudence, while Maja stressed that approvals are based on scientific evidence.

Experts warn that even with immediate action, it may take at least two years before South Africa can regain FMD-free status. The next few weeks are critical for protecting the national herd. The consensus among farmers, veterinarians, and industry bodies is clear: urgent leadership, transparent processes, and rapid access to vaccines are essential to prevent further economic and agricultural damage.

The FMD crisis demonstrates that effective disease control relies not just on vaccines and veterinary science, but also on governance, coordination, and decisive action from leadership. South Africa’s livestock industry and national food security hang in the balance.