SA produces first locally made Foot and Mouth Disease vaccines in over 20 years

South Africa has marked a major milestone in animal health and biosecurity with the handover of the first batch of locally produced Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines in more than two decades, as the country battles a widespread outbreak of the highly contagious disease.

The Agricultural Research Council’s Onderstepoort Veterinary Research (ARC-OVR) on Friday officially handed over the vaccines to Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen, describing the achievement as a breakthrough for the country’s livestock industry and food security.

ARC said the release of the vaccine represents a significant step forward in reducing South Africa’s reliance on imported vaccines while strengthening its capacity to respond rapidly to outbreaks.

FMD affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, and outbreaks can have devastating economic effects, including trade disruptions, movement restrictions and severe losses for farmers.

“This achievement represents a significant advancement in enhancing the country’s capacity to protect its livestock industry, safeguard food security, and reduce dependence on imported vaccines.”

Developed and produced by ARC scientists and technical experts using local infrastructure, the vaccine is the result of more than 20 years of research and sustained government investment.

The product has been registered as a stock remedy under Act 36 of 1947 (Reg. No. G1944), meeting stringent quality, safety and efficacy standards.

Although production is currently at a small scale, ARC said local manufacturing offers critical advantages, including faster response times during outbreaks, better alignment of vaccine strains with those circulating in the region, and improved control over supply chains.

It also builds national scientific capacity while contributing to skills development and job creation in the biotechnology and veterinary manufacturing sectors.

The first batch consists of 12 900 multi-strain FMD vaccine doses and signals South Africa’s renewed commitment to biosecurity and animal disease preparedness.

ARC said domestic vaccine production will strengthen the country’s ability to prevent and control transboundary animal diseases, providing farmers with greater confidence and more reliable access to vaccines over time.

“For consumers, it supports a stable supply of safe and affordable animal-derived food products. As the first doses are rolled out, this achievement stands as a proud moment for the ARC and a showcase of South African science and agricultural capacity,” ARC said.

“It demonstrates what can be achieved through strategic investment, collaboration, and a shared commitment to protecting the nation’s livestock and food systems.”

Looking ahead, ARC said it has completed the design of a new production facility aimed at achieving vaccine self-reliance in line with the ministerial disease control strategy.

Receiving the vaccines, Steenhuisen acknowledged the severe emotional and financial toll the ongoing outbreaks have had on farmers.

“To our farmers who have watched their livelihoods disappear before their eyes, I hear you, and I feel the weight of this hardship with you. This has been a long, exhausting road, but I want you to know that help is not just coming, it is here,” he said.

Steenhuisen said the department and he will stop at nothing to ensure this disease is completely eradicated from our farms and communities.

“While the path to full recovery will take time, specifically through our focused ten-year strategy, we are finally moving from defence to offence. Please do not lose faith; we are building a system that will protect your herds for generations to come.”

Meanwhile, the department said that it welcomes assistance from the private sector in eradicating this disease.

“The private sector, industry bodies, and others have been included at every step, from the initial FMD lekgotla to the Ministerial Task Team and the FMD Industry Coordination Council,” it said.

“The department has furthermore committed to working with private veterinarians and animal health technicians as the vaccine rollout proceeds.”

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