Over 90% of South African cattle vaccinated against foot-and-mouth disease

The South African government has successfully vaccinated more than 90% of the country's cattle against foot-and-mouth disease, achieving the target more than six weeks ahead of schedule. Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp announced the milestone in his keynote address at the Agricultural Writers SA National Awards in Muldersdrift on Friday. The vaccination campaign was launched to combat the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, which affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs.

Foot-and-mouth disease causes sores on the tongues, hooves, and teats of infected animals, and its outbreak was declared a national disaster by President Cyril Ramaphosa in this year's State of the Nation Address. South Africa had lost its foot-and-mouth disease-free status seven years prior to the outbreak. The disease has significant economic implications for the country's agricultural sector, particularly the livestock industry.

According to Minister Aucamp, all provinces have moved into the next phase of the campaign, which involves administering booster doses to keep the cattle immune. However, Dr. Frikkie Maré, chief executive of the Red Meat Producers' Organisation, expressed concerns that most commercial farmers his organization represents have not received booster shots. Maré stated that the government's claim that new outbreaks have declined drastically cannot be properly measured due to underreporting by farmers.

Maré attributed the underreporting to farmers no longer seeing the need to report outbreaks as their sick animals recover after receiving the first dose of the vaccine. He also noted that some farmers have yet to receive their first dose and are still waiting to be vaccinated. The Red Meat Producers' Organisation estimates that the national cattle herd stands at around 14 million.

The government's vaccination campaign has seen over 22 million doses of the vaccine bought and distributed, with the state vaccinating just under 11 million cattle and the private sector about four million. Minister Aucamp attributed the success of the campaign to collaboration between the government, farmers, and the private sector. He emphasized that the achievement demonstrates what can be accomplished when stakeholders work together to control the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.

Despite the progress made, Maré highlighted that the booster rollout remains uncertain, with some provinces still vaccinating new outbreaks and those that did not receive a first dose. He also noted that sales of privately bought vaccines are low, as most farmers believe the disease is controlled by the government and that it should supply the vaccine. To regain full foot-and-mouth disease-free status, vaccination would need to be made compulsory, and every animal would need to receive its doses and boosters on time.

The vaccination campaign has also led to some export markets opening to meat from vaccinated cattle. However, to regain full status, South Africa would need to meet the required standards. Minister Aucamp's department has employed more animal health technicians and vaccinators and extended vaccination work to private vets to ensure the effective implementation of the campaign and minimize disruptions to farming and the food supply.

Key points

• Over 90% of South African cattle have been vaccinated against foot-and-mouth disease, meeting the target six weeks early.
• The government's vaccination campaign has seen over 22 million doses of the vaccine bought and distributed.
• The booster rollout remains uncertain, with some provinces still vaccinating new outbreaks and those that did not receive a first dose.