Minister Steenhuisen Welcomes Court Denying Private FMD Vaccine Bid

In a significant decision for South Africa’s agricultural sector, the Gauteng Division of the High Court has dismissed an urgent application that sought to allow private procurement and administration of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines outside the state framework.

The bid, brought by Sakeliga and others, aimed to bypass the national system. By rejecting the application, the Court has reinforced the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development’s authority to manage the country’s FMD response through a centralized, state-led approach, according to Minister John Steenhuisen.

According to Minister Steenhuisen, a “free-for-all” approach could have been “premature and misdirected.” He said that allowing private operations outside the national framework could have jeopardized South Africa’s international reputation and the safety of the national herd.

“This matter was never simply about access to vaccines,” the minister said. “It is about ensuring that South Africa’s response to FMD remains credible, coordinated, and compliant with the legal framework that protects both our national herd and our export markets.”

According to the minister, the High Court’s decision to deny urgent relief was guided by principles of biosecurity and governance, including:

• Centralized Traceability: Unregulated vaccination could undermine tracking of which animals are immunized, putting international trade compliance at risk.
• Vaccine Integrity: All vaccines must move through a strictly monitored cold chain and regulatory oversight to remain effective.
• Legal Process: The Court recognized that there were no grounds for intervention in the state’s structured disease control strategy.

According to Minister Steenhuisen, while the private bid was denied, the Court has provided a structured timeline for the Department to finalize a formal vaccination scheme. This plan, developed in consultation with a Ministerial Task Team and industry stakeholders, is designed to allow broader participation without compromising safeguards.

Key updates for farmers, according to the minister, include:

• Defined Timeframe: The Department must publish the official vaccination scheme within a reasonable period.
• Secured Vaccine Supply: Additional consignments of vaccines have been secured under strict regulatory oversight.
• Stakeholder Engagement: The Department will continue to work with industry players, provided they operate within lawful mechanisms.

According to Minister Steenhuisen, this ruling ensures that South Africa’s biosecurity standards remain intact. A coordinated response, he said, is essential for stabilizing outbreaks, protecting the national herd, and maintaining confidence with international markets, which is crucial for reopening export opportunities.

“Our priority remains clear: to stabilise outbreaks, protect the national herd, and restore South Africa’s animal health status,” the minister said. “That requires discipline, coordination, and adherence to the law—not fragmentation.”