The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng welcomes and fully supports the decisive, science-based leadership shown by Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen in responding to the current Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) crisis across the country.
The Minister’s “FMD-Free with Vaccination” policy direction provides the country with a realistic and technically sound roadmap to restore confidence in export markets, protect national food security, and stabilise the livestock sector.
The Minister’s early and proactive decision to secure large volumes of FMD vaccine from the Botswana Vaccine Institute is commendable in ensuring that South Africa is protected during a period of heightened risk while longer-term local manufacturing capacity is being rebuilt.
Gauteng remains one of the provinces affected by FMD, with outbreaks recorded across multiple municipalities, including communal holdings, feedlots, beef and dairy farms.
Although Gauteng is not a traditional livestock province, it is uniquely exposed due to:
• High livestock movement through feedlots, auctions, abattoirs and transport corridors
• Dense peri-urban and small-scale farming systems
• Dependence on livestock sourced from other provinces
For this reason, effective implementation of the Minister’s plan in Gauteng is essential to national success.
The confirmation that up to one million vaccine doses per month will be available from the end of February represents a critical intervention that significantly strengthens South Africa’s ability to contain the disease and protect farmers.
The DA Gauteng supports the planned phased vaccination rollout in Gauteng from March 2026, targeting feedlots, commercial, and communal farmers.
We will be tabling questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) to the MEC for Agriculture, Vuyiswa Ramakogpa, to determine the exact number of farms affected by the latest outbreak of FMD, confirm which vaccines were used initially, and how many livestock have died since the latest outbreak.
Effective vaccination cannot succeed without strict movement control of cloven-hoofed animals. The DA therefore stresses the importance of enforcing animal movement regulations, particularly in high-risk provinces such as Gauteng.
Uncontrolled or illegal movement of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs remains one of the primary drivers of FMD spread, especially through informal trade, auctions, and transport routes. Government must ensure:
• Visible and consistent enforcement of movement controls,
• Coordination with law-enforcement agencies and provincial authorities, and
• Clear communication to farmers and transporters on their legal obligations.
Movement control is not punitive; it is a necessary protective measure to safeguard farmers who comply with the rules and to protect South Africa’s food system.
While imports from Botswana provide essential short-term protection, the DA supports the Minister’s parallel efforts to expand diagnostic capacity, strengthen surveillance and traceability, and rebuild sustainable local vaccine manufacturing capacity over time.
With decisive national leadership, responsible vaccination practices, and effective enforcement of animal movement controls, Gauteng can play its role in turning the tide against FMD and securing South Africa’s food future.