Minister Willie Aucamp’s FMD Strategy: Key Action Points Every Farmer Needs to Know

Just one month into his appointment, South Africa’s new Minister of Agriculture, Willie Aucamp, laid out a bold roadmap to tackle Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) head-on.

Addressing livestock producers at the Foot and Mouth Disease Symposium in Pretoria, Minister Aucamp emphasized that winning this battle requires a unified front: combining cutting-edge policy changes with direct farmer empowerment.

Here are the critical strategies, new rules, and key action points every farmer needs to know to protect their herd and livelihoods.

1. Major Policy Shift: You Can Now Vaccinate Your Own Livestock

In a landmark response to recent FMD litigation, the Department of Agriculture has officially removed historic barriers by allowing farmers and farm managers to become authorised individuals to vaccinate their own cattle.

To facilitate this, the Department has launched a fast, user-friendly online portal.

The 3-Step Portal Process:

1. Apply: Register online to become an official Authorised Person.
2. Give Notice: Submit notification prior to administering vaccines.
3. Report Back: File post-vaccination reports to keep national records accurate.

This shift decentralizes vaccination efforts, giving producers direct control over protecting their herds without waiting on state personnel delays.

2. Aggressive National Targets: 80% Vaccination by Year-End

To break the cycle of disease transmission and restore South Africa’s official FMD-free status with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the Ministry is driving a massive national campaign.

• Target: Vaccinate 80% of the national herd by December 2026.
• Doses Secured: 15 million vaccine doses have been imported from outside the region and rigorously tested with health regulators to match local field strains.
• Current Progress: Over 9 million doses distributed, with over 8 million animals already vaccinated.
• Milestones: The nation’s entire dairy herd is now 100% vaccinated. Additionally, KwaZulu-Natal, North West, Eastern Cape, and Free State have each surpassed 1 million vaccinated livestock.

3. Strict On-Farm Biosecurity & Permit Compliance

Minister Aucamp made it clear that while vaccines are vital, they are only part of the solution. Halting the spread of FMD ultimately depends on strict biosecurity at the farm level.

“Biosecurity, whether for animal or plant health, begins on the farm. If animals continue to be moved without following prescribed procedures or obtaining the necessary permits, we will continue to see the spread of disease.” — Minister Willie Aucamp

Action Items for Producers:

• Controlled Movement: Never transport livestock without prescribed procedures, official permits, and health clearances.
• Traceability & Records: Maintain strict animal movement logs and ensure full compliance with national livestock identification standards.
• On-Farm Controls: Secure farm perimeters and restrict unauthorized livestock access to prevent cross-border contamination.

4. Expanding State Capacity & Addressing Future Threats

Acknowledging past structural bottlenecks, Minister Aucamp committed the Department to providing better ground support and long-term security:

• More State Vets: The Department is actively accelerating the recruitment of additional veterinary personnel to support regional efforts.
• Regional & Industry Alignment: The government is aligning with the Ministerial Task Team, Industry Coordination Council, and neighbouring SADC nations, recognizing that disease control knows no borders.
• Broader Vigilance: The new strategy builds long-term institutional resilience to safeguard against other major livestock threats, including African Swine Fever and Avian Influenza.