Minister Willie Aucamp Launches Self Vaccination Portal to Help Farmers Fight Foot and Mouth Disease

South Africa has taken another significant step in its fight against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) with the launch of a new online self vaccination application portal for livestock owners. The initiative, announced by Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp, is designed to speed up disease prevention by allowing approved livestock owners and managers to vaccinate their own animals under a regulated system. The move is expected to strengthen the country’s response to FMD outbreaks while improving collaboration between government and the agricultural sector. By giving farmers greater responsibility in protecting their livestock, the Department of Agriculture hopes to reduce the spread of the disease and improve national disease surveillance. The introduction of the digital platform reflects South Africa’s commitment to modernizing animal health management while maintaining strict biosecurity standards.

Foot and Mouth Disease remains one of the most economically damaging livestock diseases because it spreads rapidly among cloven hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. Although the disease rarely affects humans, outbreaks can have devastating consequences for farmers through livestock movement restrictions, production losses and reduced access to local and international markets. South Africa has experienced several FMD outbreaks in recent years, placing immense pressure on veterinary services and livestock producers alike. Containing outbreaks quickly is essential to protecting the country’s agricultural economy and restoring confidence in its livestock industry. The newly launched self vaccination portal is intended to complement existing government disease control efforts by allowing farmers to respond more efficiently while remaining under official veterinary oversight.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Aucamp described the new online system as an important milestone in empowering livestock owners to play a more active role in disease prevention. He explained that approved owners and managers of cattle would now be able to perform voluntary vaccination of their livestock against FMD after receiving official authorization. According to the minister, this initiative marks only the beginning of broader efforts to strengthen cooperation between government and the private sector in addressing the ongoing FMD challenge. He emphasized that the Department of Agriculture remains committed to creating systems that enable private industry to contribute meaningfully to protecting the country’s livestock. The new platform demonstrates a shared responsibility between government authorities and farmers in maintaining animal health.

Livestock owners wishing to participate in the voluntary vaccination program must first register through the FMD Reporting System. The online platform provides clear step by step guidance that explains each stage of the authorization process. The system has been developed in accordance with South Africa’s legal requirements, biosecurity protocols and disease traceability standards. Every vaccination administered through the system will be properly documented, ensuring authorities can monitor compliance and maintain accurate disease records. This structured approach is intended to safeguard the integrity of the national vaccination program while allowing greater participation from livestock producers.

The first stage of the process requires livestock owners or managers to apply to become an “Authorised Person.” Approval under this category gives them legal authority to administer FMD vaccines to their own animals in accordance with the relevant legislation. Applicants must complete the necessary requirements on the FMD Reporting System before any vaccinations can take place. This approval process helps ensure that only responsible and qualified livestock owners participate in the voluntary vaccination campaign. It also provides government with an accurate record of individuals authorized to administer vaccines across different farming regions.

Once approval has been granted, the second stage requires the authorised person to notify the Provincial Director of Veterinary Services or the relevant State Veterinarian of their intention to vaccinate. This notification must be submitted at least five days before the planned vaccination date. Farmers may complete this notification electronically through the online portal or submit it in writing if preferred. After providing notice, authorised persons are permitted to obtain the required vaccines directly from an authorised veterinarian operating in their area. This notification system enables veterinary authorities to coordinate vaccination activities while maintaining oversight of disease control efforts.

The final stage of the process focuses on accountability and reporting. Within fourteen days of administering the vaccine, the authorised person must submit a detailed vaccination report to the local State Veterinarian. The report includes information about the number and type of animals vaccinated, the vaccine used and the exact location where vaccinations took place. Farmers can submit this information either through the online reporting system or by providing written documentation. These reports create a valuable national database that helps authorities monitor vaccination coverage, identify gaps and respond more effectively to future outbreaks.

The Department of Agriculture has also embraced collaboration with private sector partners by allowing approved third party digital platforms to integrate with the official reporting system. Livestock owners and managers may choose to use approved systems developed by organizations such as RMIS, SAAI and Buffalo Analytics. Information submitted through these approved platforms will automatically be shared with the Department of Agriculture and incorporated into the government’s national records. However, farmers remain responsible for ensuring that the platform they use has been officially approved by the Director of Animal Health. This flexible approach gives producers additional options while maintaining consistent reporting standards across the country.

Minister Aucamp emphasized that collecting reliable vaccination data is essential for evaluating the success of the national vaccination campaign. Accurate reporting will allow government to monitor vaccination progress in real time and make informed decisions regarding disease control strategies. It will also provide South Africa with credible evidence when the country seeks to regain Foot and Mouth Disease Free status with vaccination through the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Achieving this internationally recognized status would significantly improve export opportunities and strengthen confidence in South African livestock products. Reliable reporting therefore benefits not only individual farmers but the entire agricultural economy.

The minister also called on organized agricultural organizations to work closely with approved vaccine importers to estimate vaccine demand among their members. By providing accurate projections, agricultural organizations can assist importers in securing sufficient vaccine supplies for distribution throughout the country. Importers have likewise been encouraged to engage directly with veterinarians to determine regional vaccine requirements based on client demand. This coordinated supply chain approach aims to prevent shortages while ensuring vaccines are available where they are needed most. Effective planning will be essential as more livestock owners participate in the voluntary vaccination program.

Under the voluntary vaccination rollout, farmers choosing to vaccinate their own livestock will be responsible for purchasing the vaccines required for their animals. However, government will continue supplying vaccines in areas where new FMD outbreaks have been detected and to farmers who cannot afford to purchase vaccines themselves. This balanced approach ensures that disease control efforts continue without placing vulnerable farming communities at greater risk. It also allows government resources to be focused where they are most urgently needed while encouraging financially capable producers to contribute to national disease prevention efforts. The combination of public support and private participation is expected to improve the overall effectiveness of the vaccination campaign.

Minister Aucamp concluded by thanking farmers, organized agricultural organizations and Department of Agriculture officials who worked together to establish the new reporting system within a short period. He reaffirmed the department’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with the agricultural sector and promoting a unified approach to combating Foot and Mouth Disease. The successful implementation of the self vaccination application portal represents an important step toward faster disease response, improved livestock protection and stronger national biosecurity. As more farmers participate in the system, South Africa will be better positioned to reduce the impact of future outbreaks and work toward restoring its international animal health status. The initiative demonstrates that effective disease control depends on cooperation, accurate reporting and shared responsibility between government, veterinarians and livestock producers.