FMD Settlement Opens Private Vaccine Importation and Distribution

Posted 10 July 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Agriculture

Brought to you by SAnews: The Department of Agriculture and agricultural organisations have concluded a settlement agreement that permits private livestock owners to voluntarily vaccinate cloven-hoofed animals against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and opens vaccine importation to the private sector.

In terms of the Animal Diseases Act, No. 35 of 1984, and following a settlement agreement reached on 9 July 2026, the Department of Agriculture and Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) have formally relinquished their exclusive rights to import and distribute FMD vaccines. The agreement resolves litigation brought against the department by applicants including Sakeliga, the South African Agri Initiative (SAAI), and Free State Agriculture.

The settlement establishes a regulatory shift from state-controlled vaccination campaigns to a co-managed biosecurity framework. Owners and managers of cloven-hoofed livestock are now permitted to voluntarily vaccinate their herds, subject to compliance with specific statutory conditions. These regulatory requirements include:

  • Strict adherence to national biosecurity protocols;
  • Verifiable animal traceability systems; and
  • Mandatory reporting of vaccine administration and herd health status to state veterinary authorities.

Private Sector Importation and Distribution

By relinquishing exclusive import rights, the Department of Agriculture aims to enable the private sector to import FMD vaccines at scale. This change addresses supply constraints associated with OBP’s previous exclusive distribution model. Private entities seeking to import, distribute, or administer these vaccines must still comply with the registration and licensing requirements set out under the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, No. 36 of 1947, alongside the Animal Diseases Act, No. 35 of 1984.

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

  • For yourself: No direct individual compliance obligations, unless you personally own or manage cloven-hoofed livestock subject to FMD regulations.
  • For your business: Agricultural supply firms, veterinary practices, and pharmaceutical distributors can now apply to import and distribute FMD vaccines commercially, requiring updated import permits and compliance with Act 36 of 1947 registration procedures.
  • For your clients: Livestock farming clients can implement voluntary FMD vaccination protocols to protect their herds, provided they establish compliant traceability and reporting systems to satisfy state veterinary requirements.

Originally published at https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/historic-fmd-settlement-paves-way-wider-vaccine-access

The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Acts Online. Acts Online accepts no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the article, nor does the information contained herein constitute advice, legal or otherwise.