High Court affirms state control over foot-and-mouth response
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has expressed satisfaction after the Gauteng Division of the High Court upheld the government's legal mandate to oversee and coordinate South Africa's fight against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), dismissing an urgent bid to open the door to unregulated private vaccination efforts.
The legal challenge, lodged by Sakeliga and other parties, had sought emergency interim relief that would have permitted the private procurement and distribution of FMD vaccines outside the country's official biosecurity framework. The court declined to grant this urgent application, opting instead to postpone proceedings while the Department of Agriculture finalises its formal vaccination scheme.
A specific and reasonable deadline has been set for the department to publish its vaccination plan in accordance with existing legislation, providing a clear timeline for stakeholders awaiting progress on the matter.
"This matter was never simply about access to vaccines. It was about ensuring that South Africa's response to FMD remains credible, coordinated, and compliant with the legal framework that protects both our national herd and our export markets."
Minister warns against bypassing regulatory safeguards
Steenhuisen stressed that the ruling reinforces a crucial principle: South Africa's biosecurity strategy must be centrally coordinated, grounded in scientific evidence, and consistent with both domestic and international standards. He cautioned that attempts to circumvent established regulatory channels were misguided and premature.
"The court has recognised that there are no grounds for urgent intervention that would disrupt the State's ongoing disease control strategy. This is an important affirmation of the role of government in managing animal health risks in a structured and responsible manner."
The Minister confirmed that his department had already been developing a comprehensive vaccination scheme prior to the court proceedings. He said the ruling now provides welcome clarity regarding both the process and the timeframe within which the plan must be formally published.
The decision is seen as a significant moment in South Africa's ongoing battle against FMD, which poses a serious threat to the country's livestock industry and lucrative meat export markets. Any failure to maintain internationally recognised disease control protocols could jeopardise trade agreements and damage the reputation of South African agricultural products on the global stage.
