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South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture, has approved a new set of national Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) control measures designed to provide livestock farmers with clearer recovery pathways during outbreaks while protecting the country’s agricultural trade and biosecurity. The measures, which will take effect once published in the Government Gazette, replace previous directives and establish a single national framework for managing FMD outbreaks from detection to recovery.
He said the new approach is intended to provide farmers with clear, science-based guidelines that enable them to manage disease outbreaks without unnecessarily jeopardising their livelihoods. Given the significant economic impact of FMD on livestock production, market access and rural communities, the revised measures seek to balance disease control with the continued operation of farming businesses.
A key aspect of the framework is the introduction of risk-based recovery pathways that permit certain trade activities during quarantine periods. Livestock may be sent to designated FMD abattoirs 16 days after a farm is declared clinically clear, while wider slaughter options, including export-approved facilities, become available after 42 days. In addition, vaccinated animals that have not been infected and are not under quarantine may continue to be traded under normal regulations.
The measures also reduce unnecessary disposal of animal products and inputs by applying scientifically established risk periods to products such as feed, fodder and manure. Furthermore, affected producers will no longer be required automatically to depopulate entire herds, with alternative options including restocking with vaccinated animals or sourcing livestock from disease-free areas.
The framework further introduces tailored provisions for communal and peri-urban livestock systems, recognising the challenges associated with shared grazing and multiple ownership structures. Well-fenced farms will be permitted to manage outbreaks within affected sections rather than quarantining entire properties, while streamlined veterinary procedures and clearer authorisation processes are expected to improve efficiency. The Department of Agriculture has indicated that the effectiveness of the measures will be reviewed within 12 months of implementation.
June 25, 2026/South Africa/
https://www.sanews.gov.za/
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