John Steenhuisen Backs State of Disaster Declaration on FMD

Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2026 State of the Nation Address, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has thrown his full support behind the declaration of a National State of Disaster to combat the escalating Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak.

Steenhuisen described the move as both necessary and urgent, framing it as a critical step toward strengthening the country’s existing response efforts.

“I welcome President Cyril Ramaphosa’s declaration of a State of Disaster to combat Foot-and-Mouth Disease,” Steenhuisen said. “As outlined by me in January this year, this will strengthen the work already underway, accelerating rollout, tightening movement controls, and unlocking the resources our veterinary teams and farmers urgently need. Together, we will overcome FMD.”

Steenhuisen emphasised that groundwork had already been laid earlier in the year to address the outbreak. However, elevating the crisis to disaster status gives government enhanced powers and flexibility to fast-track procurement of vaccines, strengthen enforcement of livestock movement restrictions, increase veterinary deployment in affected regions, and unlock emergency funding for farmers.

According to the Minister, the declaration removes bureaucratic bottlenecks that previously slowed response times and allows for a more coordinated, aggressive response.