South Africa Launches First Locally Produced FMD Vaccine in 20 Years to Combat Livestock Disease
South Africa has achieved a significant milestone in animal health with the release of its first locally produced foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine in two decades. The initial batch of 12,900 doses is set for distribution across six provinces, including North West, Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and the Eastern Cape. This development follows the decommissioning of local production facilities in 2005. The initiative, led by Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), aims to rebuild the country's vaccine production capacity and enhance its response to FMD outbreaks. The vaccine is expected to bolster biosecurity, protect livestock, and support agricultural trade. Industry leaders, including Dewald Olivier of Red Meat Industry Services, have praised the local production as a critical step forward, emphasizing its role in maintaining market access and farmer productivity. 
