Industry Update

6 February 2026

FMD ICC Progress Update — 6 February 2026

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The situation on the ground continues to escalate. This update sets out the latest confirmed developments and the actions planned for the coming week.

The ICC attended the media briefing at the ARC–Onderstepoort Veterinary Research facility today, where the finalisation of the first batch of locally produced FMD vaccines was presented.

This is an important long-term milestone in the fight against FMD. It does not, however, address the immediate realities facing farmers and the value chain.

The immediate reality is an active outbreak, spreading rapidly. Time is not on our side. Vaccines need to be administered urgently, but in a responsible and cost-effective way, without being held back by structures or institutional boundaries.

The confirmation today of positive Foot-and-Mouth Disease cases in the Mbekweni area between Wellington and Paarl shows how rapidly the situation on the ground can change. The Western Cape was not included in the current response plan, which now needs to adapt before it has even been fully implemented.

The ICC requires shared authority and combined decision-making with the MTT and the Department for non-statutory, outcome-based decisions so that faster, coordinated action can take place to keep farmers on their farms and the value chain operational.

The ICC will meet with the Ministerial Task Team and the Department of Agriculture on Monday 9 February 2026, followed by a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture on Wednesday 11 February 2026 to agree on this approach.

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.

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The FMD ICC will continue to update stakeholders and provide practical guidance as the national response progresses.

  • Please raise any implementation issues directly with any FMD ICC member.
  • If you want to report or raise something anonymously, you can send it to 073 786 7363 on WhatsApp.
  • If you notice clinical signs of FMD in your animals such as limping, mouth or nose lesions, or excessive drooling/salivation — whether current or anytime in the past three months — please send only the GPS coordinates from the nearest S-road or main road to the same number.
  • You are not required to submit any information that can identify you.

Note to Media

  • All media enquiries must be directed to Sara-Lea van Eeden, FMD ICC Communications Lead, at sara-lea@s-ellepr.com.
  • A minimum lead time of 24 hours is required.
  • While we recognise the pressure of news deadlines and will always aim to respond as soon as possible and meet deadlines, the operating environment is dynamic, which may at times affect response timelines.

All media requests must include the following information:

  • Your deadline
  • Preferred format (for example: live or pre-recorded interview, telephonic, in-person, online, email interview, or written comment)
  • The specific focus of your enquiry (for example: scientific or animal health matters, economic or trade impact, or operational response)
  • The specific questions you would like addressed

Responses are coordinated across all nine FMD ICC members and this procedure enables the FMD ICC to provide you with accurate responses that support responsible and factual reporting during a national crisis.