The Minister for Agriculture, Mr John Steenhuisen, visited the Free State Province on Monday, 2 March, where he continued with the nationwide mass vaccination rollout campaign against Foot and mouth disease (FMD).
He was joined by the Free State MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Elsabe Rockman. This high-priority intervention follows the arrival of one million high-potency vaccine doses from Biogénesis Bagó, Argentina, on 21 February 2026.
As the largest single consignment of FMD vaccines ever to enter South Africa, thisshipment marks the operational “kickstart” of the Department of Agriculture’s new 10-year Strategic Plan to vaccinate the national herd.
Millions more doses of FMD vaccine have been procured and will soon arrive in the country. The vaccination process is strategically phased, starting with mass vaccination in the highest-risk areas and thereafter, moving to lower-risk areas.
Minister Steenhuisen was also joined by HOD Tshepo Mabilo and the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Zama Zigwebela.
The day started with the technical briefing focusing on the progress report and challenges facing the province in the fight to curb the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease. The technical briefing was followed by the vaccination demonstration at Glen Farm, then a stakeholder engagement session.
The vaccination demonstration took place at the Glen Farm. State Vets, under the leadership of the acting Director for Veterinary Services, Dr. Barnard, conducted the vaccination campaign.
The Chairperson of AFASA in the Free State, Mr. Mike Makwa, gave a brief presentation about the FMD Strategy in the province. He raised issues such as the need for comprehensive communication on awareness campaign especially to communal livestock farmers, vaccine supply shortages, limited movement of livestock, prioritisation of areas and farmers during vaccination, as well as capacity building by animal technicians for farmers.
MEC Rockman said this is a good platform created for organised agriculture to engage on issues. MEC added by saying the issue of quarantine facilities is in progress, and the department has embarked on a media and marketing campaign by developing information packaging in 5 different languages in order to address the issue of language accessibility.
The Minister acknowledged all issues raised and emphasised the issues of vaccine supply, training, and human capacity building. Minister Steenhuisen said biosecurity should be the responsibility of society.
During the stakeholder engagement session, UFS presented on mobile quarantine facilities at villages and farms to assist with stray animals, stock theft, over grazing.
They also highlighted the issue of strategic herding and kraal to address compliance with best practices, sustainable enterprise and job creation.
State Vets emphasised the issue of adhering to biosecurity principles. Minister Steenhuisen also commended MEC Rockman and her team for being hands-on and steering from the front in the Free State to ensure farmers get the assistance they need during this time.
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