New Foot and Mouth Disease Control Measures Approved

Posted 25 June 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Agriculture

Brought to you by SAnews: The Minister of Agriculture has approved a new set of national Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) control measures to consolidate and replace previous directives, including the 2019 FMD Contingency Plan.

In terms of the regulatory powers vested under the Animal Diseases Act, No. 35 of 1984, the new framework establishes a single, integrated national system for managing FMD outbreaks from detection through to recovery. The measures will officially take effect once published in the Government Gazette.

The revised framework introduces several key regulatory and biosecurity reforms designed to balance disease control with economic sustainability:

  • Risk-based trade pathways: Animals may be transported to designated FMD abattoirs 16 days after a property has been declared clinically clear. Broader slaughter options, including export-approved facilities, will become accessible after 42 days.
  • Movement of vaccinated stock: Vaccinated animals that have never been infected and are not under quarantine may continue to be traded and moved under standard regulations.
  • Scientific product management: Agricultural inputs and products, including feed, fodder, and manure, will be managed based on scientifically established risk periods rather than being subjected to blanket disposal requirements.
  • Alternative herd recovery: Livestock producers will no longer be automatically required to depopulate entire herds to lift quarantine restrictions. Instead, they may choose alternative pathways, such as restocking with vaccinated animals or sourcing stock from FMD-free zones.
  • Sectional quarantine: Well-fenced agricultural properties will be permitted to manage outbreaks within isolated sections rather than placing the entire operation under quarantine.
  • Communal and peri-urban systems: Dedicated provisions have been introduced to address the unique biosecurity challenges of shared grazing areas and multiple ownership structures.

Additionally, veterinary procedures have been streamlined to provide clearer response timelines and escalation mechanisms for farmers seeking product movement authorisations. The Department of Agriculture has committed to conducting a formal review of the effectiveness of these measures within 12 months of their implementation.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: No direct individual compliance obligations; professional awareness of updated agricultural biosecurity and quarantine protocols is required for legal and advisory roles.
  • For your business: Legal, compliance, and financial advisory firms serving the agricultural sector must update their regulatory checklists to reflect the new 16-day and 42-day trade resumption timelines.
  • For your clients: Livestock farming and agricultural export clients can leverage the alternative herd recovery and sectional quarantine options to avoid total herd depopulation and mitigate financial losses during FMD outbreaks.

Originally published at https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/new-fmd-control-measures-support-farmers-protect-trade

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