Following its formal appointment earlier this month, the FMD Industry Coordination Council convened again on 30 January 2026 to fast-track urgent priorities. Below is a summary of key developments and actions currently underway.
Council coordination and clarity
- The ICC reaffirmed and aligned its supportive, influential, and guiding role — providing both direction and alignment — alongside the Ministerial Task Team (MTT) and the Department of Agriculture.
- Full alignment is being reinforced to streamline responsibilities and avoid duplication.
Vaccine access and distribution
- Confirmation has been received from Dunevax that 1.5 million doses of the Dollvet FMD vaccine will arrive mid-February.
- Allocation and distribution will be coordinated by the Ministerial Task Team, which met today on vaccine distribution.
- A formal letter will be submitted to the Department of Agriculture and the MTT requesting clarity on how the allocation and distribution of vaccines were determined. The ICC seeks to understand how implementation will unfold on the ground, as its role is to help the industry be ready to support the rollout.
- Design Biologix confirmed that they are still awaiting Section 21 approval from SAHPRA, having to submit additional information.
Permitting and regulatory issues
- A unified national approach for Section 9 movement permits is being discussed for tabling. The ICC would like to see clear and specific country-wide guidelines on movement permits.
- The Section 10 scheme document on pre-emptive vaccination was finalised on Wednesday evening, submitted to the Department, and will be discussed in the coming week. Part of the proposed scheme involves the participation of private veterinarians in vaccine distribution.
- Emergency interim measures under the contingency plan are being pursued so that regulations previously written for a country free of FMD — such as movement compliance requirements — do not hamper future value-chain operations.
- The ICC has requested a 24-hour turnaround time for SAHPRA approval of Section 21 applications.
Producer support
- Producer support and buy-in for the rollout remains a high priority.
- Mechanisms to assist affected farmers are being actively investigated and collated for future communication with financial institutions.
Producers and industry representatives are encouraged to remain informed and raise implementation issues through their representatives. The ICC will continue to provide regular updates and practical guidance as the rollout progresses.