South Africa Appoints FMD Industry Coordination Council to Drive National Disease Control Strategy

South Africa has taken a decisive step in the fight against Foot and Mouth Disease with the formal appointment of the FMD Industry Coordination Council. The move follows last week’s announcement of the national strategy to contain and control FMD. Minister of Agriculture Mr John Steenhuisen confirmed the appointment as part of strengthening implementation across the livestock sector.

The FMD Industry Coordination Council has been established to ensure active and coordinated industry participation in the phased rollout of the national FMD strategy. Its focus includes vaccine distribution, livestock traceability and readiness for disease control measures. The council brings together industry leaders to support government efforts with practical insight and operational experience.

Minister Steenhuisen said government cannot address FMD alone. He stressed the need for strong collaboration between the public and private sectors, farmers and veterinarians. He confirmed that the council will engage directly with him and that its input will shape decisions. He stated that South Africa now has a clear roadmap and that he is accountable for delivering it. He expressed confidence that with focus and cooperation the country can restore its FMD-free status in less than ten years.

The council forms one pillar of a three-part partnership critical to the national FMD response. The Department of Agriculture remains responsible for policy direction, regulatory support and resourcing. The Technical and Scientific Task Team provides veterinary, scientific and epidemiological expertise. The FMD Industry Coordination Council contributes operational insight, strategic guidance and unified industry input.

To ensure alignment, the minister issued a directive assigning the council a formal role in coordinating industry efforts with national FMD control measures. This includes establishing an industry coordination mechanism to mobilise sector action. The council will consolidate situational information from across the industry and coordinate communication. It will support readiness for traceability systems and audit-ready record keeping required for livestock movement compliance and compartmentalised operations. It will also assist with non statutory logistics such as training, awareness programmes and implementation monitoring.

Regular engagement with the Department of Agriculture and the Technical and Scientific Task Team will ensure close alignment between policy, implementation and veterinary oversight. This structure aims to reduce gaps between planning and execution while improving accountability.

The council includes representatives with experience across the livestock value chain. Members are Johann Kotzé, Bennie van Zyl, Theo Boshoff, Frikkie Maré, Fanie Ferreira, Marlene Louw, Bongani Msimang, Kobus Bester and Dewald Olivier. Through their participation they have committed to outcomes that serve both industry interests and national priorities. Their collective expertise ensures decisions are informed by real production, market and operational realities.

The council begins work this week. Its first formal meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 21 January 2026. The initial focus will be on aligning priorities and consolidating industry input. Weekly engagements will follow to maintain momentum, support structured monitoring and drive consistent progress. These sessions will enable the council to present clear and unified recommendations to government and the Technical and Scientific Task Team.

The council has already requested an urgent meeting with the Technical and Scientific Task Team. The aim is to review the national plan and confirm alignment of operational capacity across industry and government structures. This step is critical to refining the roadmap before full scale implementation intensifies.

The establishment of the FMD Industry Coordination Council reflects a coordinated, accountable and technically informed approach to disease control. With aligned structures, consistent communication and disciplined collaboration, South Africa is better positioned to protect its livestock sector, rebuild market confidence and restore its FMD-free status.