Foot and Mouth Disease Mass Vaccination Campaign in Hazyview Marks Major Step for South African Livestock Health

South Africa is intensifying its fight against Foot and Mouth Disease with a large-scale national vaccination rollout aimed at protecting livestock and strengthening the agricultural economy. The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, together with the Member of the Executive Council for Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs, Khethiwe Moeketsi, will lead the seventh nationwide mass vaccination campaign in Hazyview within the Mbombela Local Municipality. The campaign represents a coordinated government effort to control and eventually eliminate Foot and Mouth Disease across the country. It also highlights the urgency of protecting livestock farmers from economic losses linked to disease outbreaks. The rollout is designed to strengthen national biosecurity systems while supporting long term agricultural productivity.

The vaccination programme forms part of a broader strategy that has already seen millions of vaccine doses imported and distributed across South Africa’s provinces. Additional shipments continue to arrive to ensure the campaign maintains momentum and reaches as many livestock populations as possible. Minister Steenhuisen has been actively driving the mass vaccination initiative, with millions of animals already receiving protection against the disease. The government has set a clear target of vaccinating at least 80 percent of the national herd by the end of December 2026. This ambitious goal is expected to reduce Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks by up to 70 percent, which would significantly improve stability in the livestock sector.

Foot and Mouth Disease remains one of the most serious threats to cloven hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep and goats. Outbreaks can lead to severe trade restrictions, production losses and increased costs for farmers across the value chain. The mass vaccination strategy is therefore not only a health intervention but also an economic safeguard for the agricultural industry. It is designed to protect rural livelihoods, secure export markets and maintain consumer confidence in South African livestock products. The government views this programme as a critical investment in both food security and rural development, especially in farming communities that depend heavily on livestock production.

A key long term objective of the vaccination campaign is to secure an FMD-free with vaccination status from the World Organisation for Animal Health. Achieving this status would improve South Africa’s access to international markets and strengthen its reputation as a reliable exporter of animal products. The ultimate goal, however, is to progress towards complete Foot and Mouth Disease freedom without vaccination in the future. This will require sustained surveillance, strict biosecurity enforcement and continuous collaboration between government, veterinarians and farmers. The current vaccination drive is therefore a foundational step in a longer national animal health transformation plan.

The upcoming event in Hazyview will take place at the Shabalala Crush Pen, located next to the Shabalala cemetery in Mbombela Local Municipality. Members of the media have been invited to observe and report on the proceedings, which are scheduled for Monday, 11 May 2026 at 09:00. Strict biosecurity protocols will be enforced at the site to prevent contamination and ensure safe handling of livestock during the vaccination process. These measures reflect the seriousness of the disease control effort and the need to protect both animal and human health during field operations. The event will also serve as a demonstration of government readiness and coordination in managing large scale agricultural health interventions.

The national vaccination rollout against Foot and Mouth Disease represents a major milestone in South Africa’s agricultural protection strategy. It combines scientific disease control methods with coordinated government action and industry participation. With continued commitment, the programme is expected to significantly reduce outbreaks and strengthen the resilience of the livestock sector. Farmers stand to benefit through improved herd health, better market stability and reduced financial risk linked to disease disruptions. As the campaign progresses, it reinforces South Africa’s long term vision of building a stronger, safer and more competitive agricultural economy.