foot-and-mouth disease

Livestock producers in southern Africa are pursuing legal action over alleged mismanagement of a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, while industry leaders advocate for value-added processing to boost agricultural prosperity.

Food inflation remained steady at 4.4% year-on-year in January 2026, driven by elevated meat prices, as authorities prepare to deploy one million vaccine doses to combat a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak declared a national disaster.

The first shipment of one million foot-and-mouth disease vaccines arrived in South Africa on Saturday, marking a critical step in protecting the country's livestock industry and rural farming communities from ongoing outbreaks.

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen collected the first shipment of high-potency foot-and-mouth disease vaccines at OR Tambo Airport, marking a critical intervention as the livestock disease threatens beef and dairy production across multiple provinces.

Nigeria recorded 1.57 million tonnes of palm oil production in 2025, marking steady growth in its bid to reclaim global market share, while South Africa received one million foot and mouth disease vaccines from Argentina to protect its 14 million cattle herd.

Nigeria's National Assembly has condemned inadequate government funding for livestock development, while South Africa's dairy industry warns that inconsistent foot-and-mouth disease control measures could jeopardize crucial export markets.

A foot-and-mouth disease outbreak threatens South Africa's livestock sector as farmers criticize authorities for delayed vaccination efforts, raising concerns about export markets and rural livelihoods.

As South Africa prepares to receive one million foot-and-mouth disease vaccines, agricultural experts warn that water management represents an overlooked transmission pathway that could undermine disease control efforts.

The Western Cape Government has initiated an urgent livestock vaccination campaign to contain escalating Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreaks threatening the province's R13.5 billion livestock industry and thousands of agricultural jobs.

The Western Cape Government has initiated a major vaccination drive to combat escalating Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreaks, protecting thousands of jobs and a livestock sector valued at R13.5 billion.

President Ramaphosa's declaration of a national disaster over foot-and-mouth disease marks a critical escalation in South Africa's battle against a biosecurity crisis threatening thousands of livelihoods and the country's agricultural trade position.