South Africa Launches 28M Vaccines to Save Cattle Industry

South Africa is fighting back against a devastating livestock disease with one of the largest animal vaccination campaigns in its history.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the government will roll out 28 million foot-and-mouth disease vaccines over the next 12 months to protect the nation's 14 million cattle. The disease has triggered export bans and trade restrictions that threaten thousands of farming families and one of the country's fastest-growing economic sectors.

The government declared foot-and-mouth disease a national disaster, mobilizing state resources to tackle the crisis head-on. A special task team made up of farming experts and agriculture organizations will report monthly progress directly to the president.

"The state will facilitate the acquisition of the vaccines centrally to ensure that we get the right vaccine for the particular strain of the virus in South Africa," Ramaphosa told Parliament at the State of the Nation Address. Both commercial operations and communal farmers will get immediate access to the vaccines.

South Africa recently resumed local vaccine production, a crucial step that will speed up the rollout. The government is partnering with the private sector to distribute vaccines efficiently across the country's diverse farming landscape.

The Ripple Effect

The vaccination drive protects more than just cattle. South Africa has become the world's second-largest citrus exporter, with agricultural exports spanning avocados, maize, grapes, and wine reaching new international markets.

The sector's expansion is creating thousands of jobs for young people. Through innovative financing partnerships, the government has already provided 7.8 billion rand to support black producers, helping diversify farm ownership.

The government plans to deploy 10,000 new agricultural extension officers to support farmers and boost productivity across the country. These experts will help farming communities adopt better practices and recover from the outbreak stronger than before.

South Africa's decisive response shows how swift government action can protect both animal welfare and economic opportunity when crisis strikes.