Pretoria: Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has formally appointed the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Industry Coordination Council to support the implementation of South Africa's national strategy to contain and control the disease. The appointment follows last week's announcement of the national FMD strategy to contain and control foot-and-mouth disease.
According to South African Government News Agency, the council aims to ensure that the industry plays an active and coordinated role in supporting the phased rollout of the FMD strategy, including vaccine distribution, traceability systems, and disease-control readiness. Steenhuisen stated that the council will engage directly with him and its input will be taken seriously. He emphasized the necessity of collaboration between the government, private sector, farmers, and veterinarians to restore FMD-free status within a decade.
The council will form one part of a triangular partnership comprising the Department of Agriculture, the Technical and Scientific Task Team, and the FMD Industry Coordination Council. This partnership aims to provide a comprehensive approach encompassing policy support, scientific expertise, and strategic industry input.
To ensure a coordinated approach with industry, Steenhuisen has issued a directive assigning the council the role of aligning industry efforts with national FMD control measures. This includes establishing an industry coordination mechanism, consolidating situational information, and supporting implementation readiness for traceability and audit-ready record-keeping.
The council will also facilitate logistical support, including training and awareness initiatives, and will engage regularly with both the department and the Technical and Scientific Task Team to ensure alignment between policy, implementation, and veterinary oversight. The council's members, including Johann Kotz©, Bennie van Zyl, Theo Boshoff, and others, have committed to a collective outcome that serves both industry and national interests.
The council has commenced its work this week, with its first formal meeting focused on aligning priorities and consolidating industry input. Weekly engagements will follow to maintain momentum and ensure consistent progress. Steenhuisen emphasized that regular meetings will enable the council to present unified recommendations to the government and the Technical and Scientific Task Team.
Additionally, the council has requested an urgent meeting with the Technical and Scientific Task Team to review the national plan and ensure operational alignment across industry and government structures. This step is seen as critical to refining the roadmap for intensified implementation.
The council has welcomed the Minister's commitment and willingness to work closely with industry, noting that this engagement reflects a coordinated, accountable, and technically informed approach to implementation.