Minister Steenhuisen Warns Farmers: Legal Challenges Could Threaten FMD Vaccine Rollout

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has issued a strong warning to South African farmers, cautioning that ongoing legal disputes could disrupt the national Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination campaign.

The warning follows a legal letter from livestock organisations Saai, Sakeliga, and Free State Agriculture, demanding that farmers be allowed to administer vaccines privately and threatening court action if the State’s vaccination plan continues. The Department of Agriculture has also raised concerns about social media campaigns and messaging soliciting donations to fund the legal fight.

Minister Steenhuisen emphasised that FMD is a controlled animal disease under the Animal Diseases Act of 1984, and that the State has a legal duty to manage the outbreak. “While anyone may approach the courts, this challenge is unfortunate. It threatens the national plan to protect the herd and could delay the rollout of vaccines,” he said.

The State’s vaccination strategy—the first clear roadmap in 30 years—is guided by a Ministerial Task Team of veterinarians, scientists, and academics. To date, two million vaccines from the Botswana Vaccine Institute have already been administered, and import permits for private companies have begun.

The Minister warned that litigation could divert veterinary resources, slow vaccine purchases, and jeopardise South Africa’s goal of regaining FMD-free status with vaccination from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). He also cautioned farmers against calls for unrestricted private vaccination, describing such actions as short-sighted and risky, citing previous issues with illegally imported vaccines in KwaZulu-Natal.

Private veterinarians and industry bodies are fully involved in the rollout, Minister Steenhuisen said. “Farmers should be wary of groups promising quick fixes or profits during this crisis. Now is not the time for distractions.”

He concluded with a call for unity: “We must focus on fast-tracking the vaccination strategy and containing the outbreak. Working together is the only way we will win the fight against FMD.”