The South African government has reached a settlement with farming sector representatives, allowing farmers to privately vaccinate their livestock against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp announced the agreement, stating it marks a significant step toward stabilizing the agricultural sector.The settlement permits livestock owners to conduct voluntary vaccinations under strict biosecurity, traceability, and reporting protocols.Aucamp emphasized collaboration with the private sector, as the government cannot manage the FMD outbreak alone.

The Department of Agriculture and Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) have relinquished sole control over vaccine imports and distribution, enabling private entities to scale up vaccine procurement.This move aims to bolster job creation and GDP contributions from the agricultural sector.Industry leaders welcomed the decision, calling it a game-changer for addressing the FMD crisis.

The agreement concludes ongoing legal disputes and paves the way for efficient vaccine rollout, with Aucamp prioritizing farmers' needs since taking office.