Cape town: Government has officially published a Routine Vaccination Scheme for Foot and Mouth Disease (RVS-FMD), providing farmers with a fast-track mechanism to protect livestock while the national rollout continues. The RVS-FMD was officially published in the Government Gazette on Monday, 4 May 2026, marking a critical step in strengthening South Africa's response to Foot and Mouth Disease and safeguarding the livestock sector.
According to South African Government News Agency, briefing media in Parliament on Tuesday, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen confirmed that the scheme was gazetted under the Animal Diseases Act. Steenhuisen said the voluntary scheme is a fast-track option that allows farmers to take the lead in their own biosecurity efforts without first having to wait for the national rollout of vaccines to reach their area. The scheme was established under Section 10 of the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act No. 35 of 1984).
Minister Steenhuisen emphasized that while the national, fully funded vaccination program is underway, commercial partners require flexibility to protect their livestock immediately. The scheme operates as a public-private partnership, enabling owners of cloven-hoofed animals to mitigate the impact of FMD through voluntary vaccination, carried out under the oversight of State veterinary services. Participating animal owners must appoint a private veterinarian or Animal Health Technician, authorized by the Director: Animal Health, to perform the duties set out in the scheme schedule, under the supervision of State veterinary authorities.
The department has considered over 300 public submissions swiftly to ensure constitutional compliance with public participation processes. Steenhuisen detailed some requirements for participation in the scheme, including that every animal must be traceable, with a permanent mark and a unique ear tag for tracking from birth to slaughter. Owners must enlist an authorized veterinarian or veterinary assistant to oversee the vaccinations, and participants must use a digital traceability system to record vaccination details, including the vaccine batch number and the storage temperature.
Owners must allow audits and inspections to prove compliance with the Scheme's safety rules. A formal, recorded vaccination plan enables farmers to demonstrate the health of their animals, facilitating business continuity and ensuring the safe trade of South African meat. While livestock owners will bear the cost of vaccines and veterinarian services, the Minister indicated that the government might consider subsidies or cost-sharing mechanisms in the future to encourage greater participation in the Scheme.
