John Steenhuizen, Minister of Agriculture, has urged farmers to cooperate with vets, amidst 274 unresolved cases of Foot and Mouth disease.
The cases are in KZN, Gauteng, Free State, Northwest and Mpumalanga, confirmed by commercial beef herds, animal breeding, feedlots, diary cattle and communal herds.
Speaking at a media briefing, on Monday, 01st September 2025, Steenhuizen said farmers must also report suspected cases to the state vet immediately and not move animals showing clinical signs of the disease.
He also said immediate action to address the disease, is to scale up vaccination, expand diagnostic capacity as well as intensify awareness campaigns.
This action was recommended by multiple stakeholders at a Bosberaad (industry meeting) held in July 2025.
About 90,000 doses were procured from the Botswana Vaccine Institute, valued at R72 million.
The first 500,000 arrived in June 2025, to vaccinate cattle in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Gauteng, Northwest and the Free State.
Another 400,000 arrived last week, and 50,000 were distributed.
In addition, the plan is to expand diagnostic capacity as well as intensify awareness campaigns.
Picture: Supplied