Sakeliga issues legal demands to Minister Steenhuisen on FMD vaccination
It is unacceptable to arbitrarily restrict those who wish to follow a vaccination strategy from doing so.
Sakeliga, SAAI, and Free State Agriculture have sent a formal letter of demand to the Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen regarding the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak.
Our letter of demand requires the Minister, the Department, and the Chief Director of Veterinary Services to provide written confirmation that livestock owners and the private sector generally may procure and administer FMD vaccines according to their own risk management considerations without being blocked by state gatekeeping and red tape.
As set out in the letter, it is our understanding from the relevant legislation and regulations that no FMD control measures contain a direct prohibition against private individuals administering vaccines to their own livestock.
We have given the Minister and his colleagues until Friday 30 January 2026 by close of business to confirm whether they agree or not.
Should the Minister and his colleagues not agree that private parties may procure and administer FMD vaccines, and if they be of the view that any legal impediment to this effect exists, we demand that the Minister should state so explicitly in writing and explain the alleged impediment with full reference to any statutory provision, regulation, or other documents that he might claim to have legal force. Copies of such documents should also be provided.
This step follows Sakeliga's announcement last week that it would take measures against the government's obstruction of effective responses to the FMD outbreak.
Complementing existing efforts to contain the FMD outbreak
While there are several approaches to dealing with FMD in livestock – including vaccination – that have been used over many decades, it is unacceptable to arbitrarily restrict those who wish to follow a vaccination strategy from doing so.
Allowing private vaccination would not impede the state's efforts to respond to the FMD outbreak. There is more than enough vaccine available for import, and suppliers are willing and able to supply to the private sector. Private participation in vaccination would enable immediate, decentralised, and widespread responses by those most directly affected.
Given the Department of Agriculture's inability to contain the disease and its continuous failure to administer the prescribed vaccines to livestock in the affected areas, it would be irrational to prohibit livestock owners from administering FMD vaccinations at their own initiative.
