Minister John Steenhuisen Celebrates Arrival of First Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccines

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has announced the arrival of the first batch of one million foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines, marking a major step in efforts to contain the outbreak affecting livestock across South Africa.

The vaccines were received at O. R. Tambo International Airport as part of a phased national rollout aimed at protecting the country’s cattle industry and stabilizing agricultural production.

In a social media update, Steenhuisen described the delivery as a “major breakthrough” in protecting the national herd, farmers, and jobs linked to the livestock sector. He confirmed that additional vaccine shipments are expected as government intensifies its response to the disease.

Foot-and-mouth disease has disrupted livestock movement and export activity in several regions, placing financial pressure on farmers and raising concerns about food security and economic impact. The vaccine rollout is expected to play a critical role in slowing transmission and restoring confidence in the sector.

Images shared alongside the announcement show Steenhuisen inspecting sealed vaccine containers at the airport cargo facility, highlighting the logistical scale of the national response.