Steenhuisen launches council to combat Foot and Mouth Disease

Agricultural industry leaders have responded positively to news that Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has appointed a Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Industry Coordination Council. The news follows last week's  announcement of Minister Steenhuisen's long-term plan to vaccinate South Africa’s entire national cattle herd as part of a comprehensive strategy to eradicate foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

Members of the newly appointed council include Johann Kotzé, Bennie van Zyl, Theo Boshoff, Frikkie Maré, Fanie Ferreira, Marlene Louw, Bongani Msimang, Kobus Bester, and Dewald Olivier.

The Department of Agriculture said that this council has been established to ensure that the industry plays an active, coordinated role in supporting the phased rollout of the FMD strategy, including vaccine distribution, traceability, and disease control readiness.

Steenhuisen expressed his full commitment to eradicating FMD. “This council will engage directly with me, and its input will be taken seriously. The government cannot do this alone; we need the full strength of the private sector, farmers, and veterinarians collaborating with us. We now have a roadmap, and I am accountable for its delivery. If we stay focused and work together, I believe we can restore FMD-free status in less than ten years.”

Steenhuisen said that the council will form one part of a triangular partnership essential to delivering on the FMD response:

• • The Department of Agriculture – responsible for policy, regulatory support, and resourcing.
• • The Technical and Scientific Task Team – offering scientific, veterinary, and epidemiological expertise.
• • The FMD Industry Coordination Council – providing operational insight, strategic guidance, and unified industry input.

Steenhuisen added that the council will engage regularly with both the department and the Technical and Scientific Task Team to ensure alignment between policy, implementation, and veterinary oversight. “The council will begin its work this week, with the first formal meeting scheduled for Wednesday, focusing on aligning priorities and consolidating industry input. Weekly engagements will follow to maintain momentum, support structured monitoring, and ensure consistent progress. These meetings will strengthen the council’s ability to present coherent, unified recommendations to the Government and the Technical and Scientific Task Team.”

Steenhuisen said the council has already requested an urgent meeting with the Technical and Scientific Task Team to review the national plan and ensure alignment of operational capacity across industry and government structures.

Dewald Olivier, the CEO of Red Meat Industry Services, said RMIS welcomes the Minister’s appointment of the FMD Industry Coordination Council as a practical mechanism to align industry effort with the national FMD strategy. “The Council’s mandate is exactly what’s required to restore confidence and accelerate progress.”

Dr Frikkie Maré, the CEO of the National Red Meat Producers Organisation (RPO), saidup until now, the proposed plan to combat FMD was planned by the Technical Task Team, consisting of veterinarians, and the Department of Agriculture. “The establishment of the Industry Coordination Council brings the voice of the industry to this very important matter. As an industry, we see it as a very important step going forward, as the simplified task of this council will be to bring the practical aspects of the proposed plan to combat FMD to the table.”

TLU SA said they welcome the appointment of their general manager, Bennie van Zyl, to the council. “Van Zyl has years of experience as a cattle farmer and brings practical knowledge to the council. We believe that the council can only succeed through real cooperation, clear communication, and workable solutions between Government, veterinarians, and the industry. The organisation remains committed to protecting farmers' interests and South Africa’s food security.”

Dr Theo de Jager, Executive Board chairman of the Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai), said some of the wisest actions of Minister Steenhuisen to combat FMD were done on advice from industry leaders, such as the appointment of the Ministerial Task Team and the announcement of a new policy to vaccinate the whole national herd. “Some of the most unwise actions were driven by petty politics and opportunistic party interests, such as excluding critical farmers' voices like Saai, and doing about-turns on pre-election policy positions like on the agricultural master plan and BEE criteria for export licenses.”

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