The Eastern Cape Provincial Government has allocated R55 million to intensify efforts to contain the ongoing Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, reinforcing its response to a crisis threatening the province’s livestock sector.
The funding will be used to procure more than one million vaccine doses from Onderstepoort Biological Products, while strengthening vaccination campaigns in border municipalities and identified hotspot districts.
Provincial authorities say the intervention is aimed at curbing further transmission of the disease and protecting key agricultural industries, particularly the dairy sector and disease-free buffalo herds, both critical to the province’s rural economy.
Departmental spokesperson Atule Joka confirmed that MEC for Agriculture Nonceba Kontsiwe has welcomed the allocation, describing it as a decisive step toward stabilising the sector.
According to the department, FMD presents a serious threat to livestock production, dairy operations and overall food security in the Eastern Cape, with potential ripple effects on employment and trade.
“These interventions will help curb the spread of the disease, protect our livestock and safeguard jobs within the sector,” Joka said.
Officials stress that an intensified vaccination drive is essential not only to contain the outbreak but to restore confidence among farmers, agricultural stakeholders and trading partners.
As the province moves to contain the outbreak, the effectiveness of implementation-including monitoring, vaccine rollout efficiency and farmer compliance-will determine how quickly the sector can recover.
