Calls Grow for South Africa to Declare State of Disaster as Foot-and-Mouth Disease Crisis Deepens

South Africa is facing growing calls to declare a state of disaster as the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak continues to disrupt the livestock sector and threaten food security.

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) has warned that years of delayed action and weak enforcement have left farmers and the broader agricultural value chain dangerously exposed. According to the party, the current measures are no longer sufficient to contain the disease, which has been spreading for several months.

Export bans deepen economic pressure

The impact of the outbreak is already being felt beyond South Africa’s borders. Several key trading partners, including Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and China, have suspended imports of South African meat and related animal products. These restrictions have intensified pressure on farmers and exporters, particularly in the beef industry, where margins are already under strain.

Industry bodies have cautioned that prolonged trade suspensions could have long-term consequences for jobs, rural economies and the country’s reputation as a reliable agricultural exporter.

Government response under scrutiny

Government has acknowledged the seriousness of the outbreak and has taken steps to address it. Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen announced a national vaccination campaign last year, aimed at vaccinating the entire cattle herd, beginning in the worst-affected provinces.

According to Steenhuisen, the goal is to contain the disease and eventually apply to the World Organisation of Animal Health for recognition of “freedom with vaccination” status. However, he stressed that the success of the plan depends on a consistent supply of high-quality vaccines.

Despite these assurances, the rollout has been criticised for moving too slowly.

Industry warns of structural weaknesses

Dewald Olivier, chief executive officer of Red Meat Industry Services, has previously described the government’s response as only partially effective. While acknowledging some localised successes, he warned that fragmented decision-making and a lack of strategic coordination were undermining efforts to control the disease.

Industry stakeholders have also raised concerns about insufficient enforcement of animal movement controls, which they say is allowing the virus to spread between regions.

VF Plus calls for emergency intervention

VF Plus agriculture spokesperson Wynand Boshoff has placed the blame squarely on what he described as years of neglect. He argued that recommendations from ministerial task teams have gone unimplemented since 2016, allowing the situation to escalate.

Boshoff has called for a formal state of disaster to be declared, saying this would unlock emergency funding that could be used exclusively to combat the outbreak. He added that South Africa has the capacity to manufacture the necessary vaccines locally, but that this capacity needs to be urgently activated.

He warned that without decisive intervention, the outbreak would continue to worsen, placing both the beef industry and national food security at risk.

Farmers await decisive action

For many farmers, the debate is no longer about policy but survival. With export markets closed, costs rising and uncertainty growing, there is increasing pressure on government to move beyond incremental measures and treat the outbreak as a national emergency.

Whether a state of disaster is declared or not, the coming weeks are likely to be critical in determining how effectively South Africa can contain foot-and-mouth disease and restore confidence in its livestock sector.