Johannesburg: Government interventions to curb Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) have reached communal farmers in Magagula Heights in the East Rand, Gauteng. On Saturday, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and Gauteng MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, spearheaded continuing efforts to roll out the FMD vaccine campaign.
According to South African Government News Agency, Ramokgopa highlighted the significance of the vaccination rollout in Magagula Heights, an area that experienced the first FMD outbreak in Gauteng in April 2025. The site is crucial for assisting communal farmers and facilitating essential information sharing to help curb FMD in the province.
The vaccination campaign is part of the government's multi-pronged strategy to protect the national livestock herd and ensure food security. Steenhuisen emphasized the helpful advice and feedback from the Gauteng province, contributing to the national response development for FMD. The aim is to vaccinate 80% of the national herd by December and reduce outbreaks by 70%, potentially reopening international markets for South African red meat products.
The Biog©nesis Bag³ vaccine from Argentina was used in the Magagula Heights drive, with plans for further distribution of vaccines from Dollvet. The Minister assured that funding for vaccines follows the Public Finance Management Act and that payments are secured to ensure a steady supply.
Steenhuisen confirmed the delivery of the Dollvet vaccine, set for distribution this week. The Department of Agriculture noted the successful importation of Dollvet FMD vaccines from Turkey, emphasizing the partnership with the private sector to secure a reliable vaccine supply.
The vaccines will be distributed across various provinces: Eastern Cape (152,000), Free State (195,000), Gauteng (213,000), KwaZulu-Natal (560,000), Mpumalanga (95,000), North West (50,000), Northern Cape (35,000), Limpopo (25,000), and Western Cape (100,000).