High Court Affirms South Africa’s Coordinated Response to Foot-and-Mouth Disease

The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, has welcomed the outcome in the Gauteng Division of the High Court, which confirmed the Department of Agriculture’s lawful authority to manage South Africa’s response to Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). This ruling comes after an urgent application by Sakeliga and others, who sought relief that would have allowed private procurement and administration of FMD vaccines outside the established national framework. The Court did not grant the requested urgent relief and postponed the matter to enable the Department to finalise its vaccination scheme under existing legislation. This decision reinforces the principle that South Africa’s biosecurity response must remain coordinated, science-based, and aligned with national and international standards. Minister Steenhuisen highlighted that the ruling protects the integrity of the national herd and the credibility of South Africa’s animal health management systems.

The Court’s decision affirms that vaccine administration must follow a structured, legally compliant process, rather than allowing fragmented or unregulated private initiatives. Minister Steenhuisen emphasised that the case was never solely about access to vaccines, but about maintaining a credible and coordinated strategy for FMD control. He noted that attempts to bypass regulatory processes through urgent court intervention were premature and misdirected. By confirming the Department’s authority, the Court has provided clarity on the timeline for publishing the vaccination scheme and reinforced the importance of adhering to established legal frameworks. This structured approach ensures that all vaccination efforts are traceable, safe, and effective in preventing disease spread.

The Department of Agriculture has already been actively developing a formal vaccination scheme, in consultation with the Ministerial Task Team and industry stakeholders. This scheme outlines the mechanisms for vaccine procurement, distribution, and administration while maintaining strict controls over traceability, vaccine integrity, and disease management. The Court’s directive now provides a defined timeframe for finalising and publishing the scheme, allowing broader participation within a structured and regulated framework. Minister Steenhuisen confirmed that the Department is securing additional vaccine consignments and continuing its efforts to stabilise outbreaks. The structured vaccination scheme ensures that South Africa’s response to FMD is comprehensive, transparent, and scientifically sound.

Minister Steenhuisen emphasised that the Department’s priority remains stabilising outbreaks, protecting the national herd, and restoring South Africa’s animal health status in compliance with international standards. He highlighted that strict regulatory oversight is essential to maintain credibility with trade partners and to protect export markets. The Department continues to engage constructively with industry stakeholders, ensuring that lawful mechanisms exist for participation while maintaining the integrity of the national disease control strategy. By reinforcing the legal framework, the ruling prevents fragmentation and ensures that all interventions contribute effectively to controlling FMD.

The High Court outcome marks a critical affirmation of government-led biosecurity measures in South Africa. Minister Steenhuisen noted that coordinated, regulated, and science-based action is essential for long-term disease management and the sustainability of the livestock sector. The vaccination scheme and ongoing disease control programs demonstrate a commitment to protecting farmers’ livelihoods, maintaining market access, and supporting national food security. By adhering to legal and regulatory standards, the Department ensures that FMD interventions are effective, safe, and credible. This ruling underscores the importance of discipline, coordination, and compliance in safeguarding South Africa’s animal health systems and securing the future of the national herd.