The Western Cape Department of Agriculture's Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) War Room met today with key agricultural stakeholders, industry partners and veterinary representatives to review progress on the provincial vaccination programme, assess vaccine availability and strengthen ongoing efforts to protect the province's livestock sector.
The meeting confirmed that the Western Cape's vaccination programme continues to make encouraging progress and remains on track. Stakeholders expressed confidence in the coordinated response underway and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the strong partnership between government and industry.
To date, approximately 82% of the Western Cape cattle herd has received its primary FMD vaccination, representing a significant milestone in the province's efforts to safeguard animal health. Booster vaccinations are also progressing steadily, with approximately 30% of eligible animals having already received their booster doses. These numbers continue to increase as the vaccination programme advances across the province.
The War Room further noted that vaccine supply remains stable and secure. The national Department of Agriculture has confirmed that sufficient vaccine stocks have been secured to support both primary and booster vaccinations in the foreseeable future. To date, the Western Cape has received 590,080 doses of FMD vaccine, with a further 50,000 doses expected by mid-September 2026 and additional allocations scheduled thereafter.
Minister Ivan Meyer welcomed the progress made to date and thanked producers, veterinarians, organised agriculture and industry partners for their continued cooperation.
"The progress achieved sos far demonstrates the value of strong collaboration between government, private veterinarians, producers and organised agriculture. Protecting our livestock sector remains a top priority, and we encourage all cattle owners to ensure that their animals are vaccinated and that biosecurity measures are strictly maintained."
The former Regional Manager of the Milk Producers' Organisation (MPO), Ms Lize Marie du Toit, now Regional Marketer for Grain SA, emphasised the importance of ensuring that all eligible animals are vaccinated.
"Producers should please not hesitate to contact their local state veterinarians if they have cattle that needs to be vaccinated."
Mr Jannie Strydom, CEO of Agri Western Cape, urged producers to remain vigilant.
"We urge farmers to be vigilant as it becomes more difficult to determine how the virus is spreading. It is a silent spreader."
Mr Chris Fourie of Dairy Management Consulting (DMC) also welcomed the progress and stressed the importance of continued industry cooperation.
"The progress of the vaccination programme and confirmation of continued vaccine availability are encouraging. The DMC urges producers to maintain the strong cooperation shown between government and the industry to date, ensure that all eligible animals receive their vaccinations and boosters on schedule, and continue implementing stringent farm biosecurity measures. It is equally important that all sectors of the livestock industry, including dairy, beef, feedlots, livestock traders and auction houses, act responsibly and comply fully with movement controls, vaccination requirements and biosecurity protocols."
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture will continue to engage closely with industry partners through the FMD War Room and other coordination structures to ensure the successful completion of the vaccination programme and the protection of the province's agricultural economy.
Enquiries:
Daniel Johnson
Media Liaison Officer to Provincial Minister Ivan Meyer
Cell: 079 990 4231
E-mail: Daniel.Johnson@westerncape.gov.za
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