AfriForum calls for private-sector partnership as foot-and-mouth disease run rampant due to centralisation

AfriForum, as civil rights organisation, is appealing to the government to urgently collaborate with the private sector to limit the damage the continued spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is causing farmers, feedlots, auctions, abattoirs, jobs and food security. This is no longer a contained agricultural problem, but a national economic threat. Yet government’s response remains slow, centralised and unable to keep up with the pace at which the disease is spreading.

“FMD spreads rapidly through animal movement and contact between herds. In a national outbreak, speed and coverage is everything. The uncomfortable reality is that South Africa’s current response model is built around state-only control, and that model is failing in real time. When vaccination rollout is delayed, outbreaks multiply; where enforcement is weak, movement restrictions become meaningless; and where the response is limited to one central channel, the system becomes a bottleneck rather than a solution,” says Lambert de Klerk, Manager of Environmental Affairs at AfriForum.

AfriForum is increasingly concerned that the government is so focused on absolute control that they’re willing to offer up the entire agricultural sector to maintain it. Farmers are expected to comply with strict rules and movement restrictions, but they are not given the rapid, coordinated support needed to contain the outbreak. The result is escalating economic harm, uncertainty in the market, disrupted supply chains and further loss of confidence in the state’s ability to protect South Africa’s agricultural sector.

AfriForum rejects the state monopoly on vaccinations and the notion that the only other option is uncontrolled private vaccinations. The government can immediately expand capacity without compromising biosecurity by introducing a strict and controlled partnership model. Government must remain in charge of standards, policy, and enforcement, but it must urgently unlock private sector capacity under clear rules, authorisations and traceability requirements.

“Private veterinary networks, specialised veterinarians and accredited animal health technicians can significantly increase vaccination rollout speed if they are permitted to act under state instruction and oversight. The private sector can also assist with logistics and recordkeeping systems – all of which are essential during a high-pressure vaccination campaign. Lawful and scientifically feasible, as well as local pharmaceutical and manufacturing capacity should also be activated to support vaccine supply, rather than leaving the sector vulnerable to delays and shortages,” says De Klerk.

AfriForum argues that this is the most practical approach to successfully tackle the crisis. It can be implemented with strict safeguards, including state-approved vaccines, controlled batch management, accredited vaccinators, mandatory reporting to a central register, auditing and traceable animal identification with real consequences for non-compliance.

“Foot-and-mouth disease is spreading because the government is trying to fight a national outbreak with a centralised system. This system cannot deliver results fast enough and enforcement capacity is already stretched too thin. The state must keep control of standards and oversight, but it must urgently unlock private sector manufacturing and veterinary capacity under strict authorisation. Every delay expands the outbreak, increases economic losses and punishes responsible farmers for the state’s inability to act with the necessary urgency,” adds De Klerk.

AfriForum has therefore called upon the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development to publish a national emergency response plan with measurable targets and deadlines; urgently accredit private veterinary networks to vaccinate under state supervision; expand vaccine supply through controlled procurement and lawful production capacity; consistently enforce movement restrictions; and implement a credible traceability and reporting system that restores confidence and allows South Africa to contain the outbreak properly.

AfriForum and the agricultural organisation Saai has meanwhile opened a helpline for farmers who are suffering emotionally and financially due to the foot-and-mouth crisis. A nationwide network of 200 trauma volunteers and professional counsellors is on standby to support farmers. Contact the AfriForum trauma unit at 064 870 8312 or trauma@afriforum.co.za to get help.