Progress Update — 13 February 2026

The situation on the ground continues to escalate, but significant progress was made this week. This update sets out the latest confirmed developments and the actions planned for the coming week.

The classification of FMD as a national disaster fundamentally changes the response framework available to address the crisis. It moves the response beyond standard departmental processes and places it under national disaster management structures.

This response will only succeed if state authority and industry capacity work together efficiently. The Minister of Agriculture has mandated the Department of Agriculture, the Ministerial Task Team (MTT), and the FMD ICC in an effort to increase the prospect for success. This structure will have to operate with clear roles, shared accountability and measurable execution, focused on specific outcomes within agreed timelines, and transparently reported to stakeholders. The first meeting of this triad will take place next week.

The FMD ICC’s mandate includes the coordination of industry input, aligning operational capacity, and making sure decisions are based on realities experienced on the ground. The FMD ICC met with the Minister on Wednesday, where he reconfirmed the mandate referred to above as well as his review of the Section 10 Scheme application, and that he is awaiting feedback from the MTT.

The FMD ICC will actively continue to take up its role and responsibility to make sure industry capacity is fully integrated with national efforts, including the pursual of the finalisation of the Section 10 application this week.

We can confirm that an import permit has been granted after the successful finalisation of a Section 21 SAHPRA permit to OBP on behalf of Biogénesis Bagó for 1,000,000 doses of bivalent vaccine. Air freight delivery of the consignment is expected this week.

Updating the FMD heatmap — producer assistance requested

For the FMD ICC to effectively represent and coordinate industry input, it is important that the heatmap is updated. To do this accurately, we urgently request producer assistance.

You will not be required to submit any information that can identify you. If you notice clinical symptoms such as limping, lesions in the mouth and/or nose, or excessive salivation — whether current or observed within the past three months — please send only the GPS coordinates from the nearest S-road or other road via WhatsApp to 073 786 7363.

Important — vaccine sales caution

It has come to our attention that certain individuals or companies are exploiting the desperate situation of producers by requesting pre-payment to secure access to FMD vaccines. Producers are urged to exercise extreme caution. At present, legal importers of FMD vaccines do not have the right to market, sell or distribute these vaccines.

The gazetting of a Section 10 Scheme may enable the regulated private sale or distribution of vaccines, and once approved and published in the Government Gazette, will formally regulate most aspects relating to the handling of the disease. This includes to whom and how vaccines will be distributed, how they must be administered, by whom they may be administered, as well as the required traceability, record keeping and surveillance measures to enable the industry to restore market access.

If you have any enquiries relating to this matter, you can submit them anonymously via WhatsApp to 073 786 7363.