Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen announced on Saturday that effective from 24 February 2026, there are no restrictions on milk from vaccinated, uninfected farms or from farms that have not been infected or suspected of being infected with Foot and Mouth Disease
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Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen announced that effective from February 24, 2026, there are no restrictions on milk from vaccinated, uninfected farms or from farms that have not been infected or suspected of being infected with Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). The announcement comes following Clover SA raising concerns that vaccinated milk is being incorrectly treated and classified as infected milk, despite the fact that vaccination is a recognised disease‑control tool and not an indicator of infection.
On 20 February Clover SA said that the inconsistent, non-standardised foot and mouth disease (FMD) eradication measures applied by the State for dairy products are putting the country’s dairy industry under serious threat. “This is despite the fact that dairy products are meeting and sometimes exceeding internationally recognised safety standards.”
Johann Vorster, the CEO of Clover, said that FMD is a national disaster that requires strong FMD eradication measures.
“However, these are being wrongly conflated with dairy processing standards. This is shutting down exports of products that are scientifically safe for human consumption,” he said.
Vorster said current measures in place means that vaccinated milk is being incorrectly treated and classified as infected milk, despite the fact that vaccination is a recognised disease‑control tool and not an indicator of infection.
“This dramatically expands restrictions without any scientific justification whatsoever. The facts are that affected products are scientifically safe for human consumption. The State has simply got it wrong. We have raised the alarm clearly that South Africa’s current approach goes beyond global standards and is imposing unsustainable costs. If unresolved, exports will become unviable, with serious consequences,” he said.
Nico Fouché CEO: Milk SA said they are in agreement with the principles and suggestions by Clover SA, which are required for the eradication of the FMD virus and to establish standards for the processing and sale of dairy products during an FMD outbreak in South Africa, which should be aligned with the World Organisation for Animal Health, (WOAH) Health Code.
“Milk SA deals with animal health and welfare issues on behalf of the South African dairy industry, mainly as part of its Animal Health and Welfare Programme and research projects. This includes continuous engagement with the relevant authorities with the purpose to improve legislation and protocols, execution of government responsibilities and to remove trade barriers,” he said.
Fouché added that in 2025, Milk SA established a FMD Work Group to approach the disease holistically and to coordinate activities with government and other stakeholders and industries. Dr Mark Chimes – who is Milk SA's Veterinary Advisor – is chairman of this Work Group. He also serves on the Ministerial Task Team together with two other dairy specialist veterinarians. Milk SA remains committed to positive engagement with the government and industry role-players such as Clover SA, to address issues of collective interest for the South African dairy industry. The Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO) and the SA Milk Processors’ Organisation (SAMPRO) are the two member organisations of Milk SA.
Minister Steenhuisen, while visiting Colbourne Dairy Farm, near Mooi River in KwaZulu-Natal as part of the launch of the Department of Agriculture’s national mass vaccination strategy, said that there is a clear policy shift indicating that, effective from February, 24, 2026, there are no restrictions on milk from vaccinated, uninfected farms or from farms that have not been infected or suspected of being infected with FMD.
“This is captured in the amendment of the 2024 FMD Contingency Plan, which will be gazetted soon. For the movement of milk from quarantined farms, only a single pasteurisation process will be required for local consumption. Milk that originates from properties under FMD restriction may not be processed for the export market, unless expressly agreed to by the importing country,” he said.
Steenhuisen added that they are moving away from treating high-risk farms as guilty until proven innocent. “Only farms with confirmed or clinical signs of infection will be quarantined. We will not stop until FMD is eradicated, and South Africa receives its ‘FMD-free with vaccination’ status. This is our promise to our farmers: We are doing everything in our power to keep your milk moving and your herds safe.”
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