In Conversation With DA Gauteng Shadow MEC of Agriculture Bronwynn Engelbrecht
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South Africa is facing a serious outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) — a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hooved animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. In response, Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has declared what he calls a “war” on the disease, calling for urgent action as the outbreak ravages livestock, threatens food security, and hits farmers hard.
Foot-and-mouth disease does not affect humans, but it can spread rapidly among animals and result in severe economic losses for the agricultural sector due to animal sickness, culling, movement restrictions and trade embargoes. South Africa’s livestock industry is a critical part of the economy and rural livelihoods, making an effective response essential.
The DA argues that the current response by the national government — including proposed quarantines, farm inspections, vaccination drives and border controls — has been insufficiently proactive and poorly coordinated. In his statement, Steenhuisen emphasized the need for rapid diagnosis, improved veterinary capacity, expanded surveillance and support for affected farmers.
Farmers, especially those in rural areas and smallholder contexts, face heightened risk as FMD outbreaks restrict their ability to sell livestock and disrupt grazing patterns. There are also concerns about export markets, since many international trade partners impose bans or restrictions on meat and dairy products from regions with FMD outbreaks.
DA agricultural spokespeople have called for urgent government intervention, including sufficient funding for testing and vaccination, improved biosecurity at farms and borders, and a coordinated national task force to contain and address outbreaks before they spread further. They argue that support for farmers’ livelihoods must be part of any effective disease control strategy.
Foot-and-mouth disease does not affect humans, but it can spread rapidly among animals and result in severe economic losses for the agricultural sector due to animal sickness, culling, movement restrictions and trade embargoes. South Africa’s livestock industry is a critical part of the economy and rural livelihoods, making an effective response essential.
The DA argues that the current response by the national government — including proposed quarantines, farm inspections, vaccination drives and border controls — has been insufficiently proactive and poorly coordinated. In his statement, Steenhuisen emphasized the need for rapid diagnosis, improved veterinary capacity, expanded surveillance and support for affected farmers.
Farmers, especially those in rural areas and smallholder contexts, face heightened risk as FMD outbreaks restrict their ability to sell livestock and disrupt grazing patterns. There are also concerns about export markets, since many international trade partners impose bans or restrictions on meat and dairy products from regions with FMD outbreaks.
DA agricultural spokespeople have called for urgent government intervention, including sufficient funding for testing and vaccination, improved biosecurity at farms and borders, and a coordinated national task force to contain and address outbreaks before they spread further. They argue that support for farmers’ livelihoods must be part of any effective disease control strategy.
