Livestock industry under pressure as government moves to contain FMD outbreak

Stephen Grootes speaks to Thabile Nkunjana, agricultural economist about the Western Cape’s procurement of 20,000 foot-and-mouth disease vaccines and the measures being taken to contain the outbreak.

Listen to the interview in the audio player below.

South Africa’s farming sector has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to declare the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak a national disaster.

AgriSA says the declaration recognises the seriousness of the disease and its potential impact on the economy, food security, and agricultural trade.

The livestock industry plays a major role in South Africa’s agriculture sector, supporting food production and exports while sustaining jobs across the supply chain.

The Association-Milk South Africa (Milk SA) as expressed concern over the outbreak of the disease on n dairy farms.

The challenges associated with the disease is also affecting small towns and rural communities that depend heavily on livestock-related economic activity.

In recent days, the Western Cape procured 20,000 foot-and-mouth disease vaccines as a measure to contain the outbreak.

Speaking to Stephen Grootes on The Money Show, Thabile Nkunjana, agricultural economist says the situation is dire.

"It has spread to areas that previously it had not been to, so as a result it is causing a lot of panic..."

- Thabile Nkunjana, agricultural economist

"The current foot and mouth disease is really a problem in the country, and this is something we should have foreseen some time ago, but unfortunately that has not happened.

- Thabile Nkunjana, agricultural economist

"The disease is having an impact, not only on the farmers but across the value chain, as we've seen from the exports that have been limited for 2025.

- Thabile Nkunjana, agricultural economist

Scroll to the top of the article to listen to the full interview.