More than 450 cattle were vaccinated against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) on Sunday in Fisantekraal as the Western Cape Government intensified efforts to protect the provincial herd.
The drive was overseen by Premier Alan Winde, alongside Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and provincial ministers Ivan Meyer and Anton Bredell.
“This vaccination drive is a proactive step to protect cattle in this area. No cases have been detected in this herd, but we are taking every precaution,” said Winde.
He said the province expects to receive 200,000 vaccine doses in the coming weeks and will prioritise high-risk herds. The Western Cape has also asked national authorities to tighten livestock movement controls and temporarily move physical auctions online.
“This is a national emergency; we are fighting to save livelihoods and agricultural exports,” said Steenhuisen.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Zambia have imposed restrictions on meat and livestock imports from South Africa. The outbreak has been declared a national disaster by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
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