“Help Is Here”: Steenhuisen Celebrates Return of Local FMD Vaccines

South Africa’s livestock industry has a reason to celebrate. Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen this week officially unveiled the first batch of locally produced Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines, a milestone that ends more than two decades of reliance on imports.

“This is a momentous day for South Africa’s livestock industry,” Minister Steenhuisen told Farmers Mag during his visit to the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) at Onderstepoort Veterinary Research (OVR). “For over two decades, our farmers have had to rely on imported vaccines, often arriving too late or in insufficient quantities. Today, we are taking back control. Today, we are moving from reaction to prevention.”

A message of hope for farmers

Minister Steenhuisen acknowledged the heavy toll FMD outbreaks have had on farmers and rural communities.

“To our farmers who have watched their livelihoods disappear before their eyes, I hear you, and I feel the weight of this hardship with you,” he said. “This has been a long, exhausting road, but I want you to know that help is not just coming – it is here. My Department and I will stop at nothing to ensure this disease is completely eradicated from our farms and communities.”

He stressed that the breakthrough is part of a comprehensive ten-year strategy to reclaim South Africa’s FMD-free status with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

“While the path to full recovery will take time, we are finally moving from defence to offence. Please do not lose faith; we are building a system that will protect your herds for generations to come,” Steenhuisen said.

Ending a 20-year gap

South Africa stopped producing FMD vaccines locally in 2005 due to outdated infrastructure that no longer met international standards. After nearly two decades of research and modernisation, the ARC has produced its first 12 900 doses using advanced bioreactor technology.

“After nearly 20 years, we have produced our first 12 900 doses using modern bioreactor technology,” the Minister said. “These vaccines are designed to give our livestock high potency, long-lasting immunity, and peace of mind for farmers. This is a clear signal that South Africa is serious about reclaiming its FMD-free status and securing the future of our livestock industry.”

The vaccine development involved identifying circulating regional strains and creating doses that meet strict international biosafety requirements. Between 2010 and 2018, the ARC focused on finding suitable candidate strains for the SADC region, laying the foundation for today’s achievement.

“This is more than science – it is hope for our farmers, our rural economies, and our nation’s food security,” Steenhuisen said.