Confirmed Case of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in the Free State

Free State Agriculture (FSA) notes with concern the confirmed outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the Moqhaka Local Municipality, within the Kroonstad State Veterinary area.

According to a statement issued by the National Department of Agriculture on 14 July, the infected property was placed under quarantine on 8 July, with immediate control measures initiated by provincial authorities. These include surveillance, vaccination, and ongoing trace-back investigations to determine the source and potential spread of the disease. Farms within a 10-kilometre radius are currently undergoing surveillance.

FSA extends its appreciation to the provincial veterinary services and relevant authorities for their rapid response and proactive measures. “We await further official communication from the Free State Department of Agriculture regarding containment protocols and implications for the broader agricultural sector”, said Dr Jack Armour, commercial manager of FSA.

FSA had proactively established a dedicated FMD WhatsApp communication group, enabling swift coordination among industry leaders across the cloven-hoofed livestock value chain. This platform will now be used to rapidly mobilize a Joint Operations Centre (JOC) if required.

With ongoing outbreaks reported in neighbouring provinces, the Free State has up to now remained FMD-free. The current development is a significant economic setback for the affected farmers and their immediate neighbours, as well as for the entire Free State livestock industry working to meet national and export standards.

As of July 2025, South Africa has recorded 270 FMD outbreaks across five provinces:

Given the scale of the national threat, FSA urgently calls on all livestock producers in the Free State to remain vigilant and to rigorously implement biosecurity protocols. The best line of defence remains farm-level prevention and full compliance with Government regulations issued.

Government Notice No. 52868, issued on 13 June 2025 in accordance with the Animal Diseases Act (35/1984): Control measures relating to controlled diseases of cloven-hoofed animals, states

• Mandatory documentation for movement of cattle, sheep, and goats;
• Strict biosecurity measures for livestock gatherings (auctions, shows, etc.);
• Full traceability and record keeping through tattoos, brand marks, AIDA certificates, and GPS-linked origin details;
• Use of Section 6 and Section 8 forms for movement and transport verification.

FSA continues to assist the South African Police Service (SAPS) in compiling charge sheets for livestock transporters who violate these regulations.

Section 6 & 8 form books, health declaration templates, and related tools are available from the FSA office and can be generated through AIMS and similar management software. We encourage producers to make full use of these systems.

This outbreak is a reminder that safeguarding animal health is a shared responsibility. FSA urges all farmers, veterinarians, auctioneers, transporters, and other stakeholders to remain alert, cooperate fully with authorities, and report any signs of disease immediately.

FSA will provide further updates as new information becomes available. We remain committed to supporting our members and the entire Free State livestock sector through this challenge.