South Africa’s critical step: First shipment of Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccines arrives

The first shipment of one million high-potency Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccines arrived on Saturday at OR Tambo International Airport. The Minister of Agriculture,John Steenhuisen, has officially received the first shipment of one million high-potencyFoot-and-Mouth Disease(FMD) vaccines. Steenhuisen received the vaccines on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the OR Tambo International Airport.

The vaccines, sourced from Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina, mark a decisive step in protecting the country’s livestock industry. Steenhuisen said the delivery is the first phase of an extensive rollout, with an additional five million doses scheduled to arrive in March. The programme forms part of the Department of Agriculture’s new 10-Year Eradication Strategy, which aims to vaccinate the national herd of over 14 million cattle and secure what he described as “FMD-Free Status with Vaccination”.

He emphasised that achieving this status is vital for reopening lucrative global export markets and ensuring the long-term biosecurity of South Africa’s farming sector. A week ago, during theState of the Nation Address(SONA),President Cyril Ramaphosadeclared the foot and mouth disease a national disaster. declared the foot and mouth disease a national disaster.

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He said the outbreak was causing severe economic damage, with export bans and trade restrictions affecting farmers and threatening jobs. “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.

He added that the government would ensure commercial, private, and communal farmers have immediate access to vaccines and that a task team of farming organisations and experts would report monthly on progress. These vaccines, sourced from Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina, mark a decisive turning point in protecting South Africa’s livestock industry.

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