Steenhuisen receives first FMD vaccine shipment at OR Tambo
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen receives first shipment of 1 million high-potency FMD vaccines at OR Tambo Airport on Saturday.
Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has received the first shipment of one million high-potency Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines.
He accepted the delivery on Saturday, 21 February 2026, at OR Tambo International Airport.
The vaccines, sourced from Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina, mark the opening phase of a national vaccination campaign aimed at protecting South Africa’s livestock industry.
Steenhuisen said an additional five million doses are scheduled to arrive in March.
Vaccination drive targets national herd
The rollout forms part of the Department of Agriculture’s new 10-Year Eradication Strategy.
The plan aims to vaccinate more than 14 million cattle and secure what Steenhuisen described as “FMD-Free Status with Vaccination”.
He stressed that achieving this status is essential for restoring export markets and strengthening long-term biosecurity.
“In total, by the end of March, we anticipate receiving more than 5 million vaccines from three different suppliers,” Steenhuisen said.
He added that authorities have already administered more than 2 million doses, with daily vaccinations continuing nationwide.
Ramaphosa declares FMD a national disaster
During the recent State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa classified Foot-and-Mouth Disease as a national disaster, citing severe economic risks.
“We have decided to vaccinate the entire national herd of 14 million cattle. This requires 28 million vaccines over the next few months,” Ramaphosa said.
Steenhuisen welcomed the national disaster declaration, saying it would enable a coordinated response.
He noted that South Africa lost its vaccine production capability in 2005 and has since depended largely on imports, primarily from the Botswana Vaccine Institute.
Steenhuisen also confirmed that private veterinarians may now register to administer vaccines under the Animal Diseases Act.
Authorities aim to vaccinate 80% of the national herd by December.
“Protecting agriculture is not only about farmers. It is about protecting economic growth, jobs and stability,” Steenhuisen said.
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