Pretoria, South Africa – Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp has officially launched South Africa’s online Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) self-vaccination authorisation system, marking a significant step in modernising livestock disease management and empowering farmers to respond more rapidly to disease outbreaks.
The newly introduced digital platform enables livestock owners and managers to apply online for official authorisation to vaccinate their own animals against FMD, streamlining what has traditionally been a more cumbersome administrative process.
The initiative is expected to improve the country’s ability to contain outbreaks while enhancing biosecurity, traceability and compliance with veterinary regulations.
Speaking during the launch, Minister Aucamp said the new system places greater control in the hands of livestock owners while reinforcing government efforts to combat one of the country’s most economically significant animal diseases.
“The launch of this system means that the owners and managers of cattle will be able to perform voluntary vaccination of their livestock against FMD,” he said. “This step is only the beginning, and I can assure all stakeholders that the Department of Agriculture is committed to enabling the private sector to help tackle this FMD outbreak.”
The online platform allows livestock owners to register on the FMD Reporting System and follow a structured process to become an “Authorised Person” permitted to administer FMD vaccines.
Once approved, applicants must notify the Provincial Director: Veterinary Services or the relevant State Veterinarian of their intention to vaccinate at least five days before administering the vaccine. This notification can be submitted either through the online system or in writing.
Following notification, authorised persons can obtain the required vaccines directly from authorised veterinarians in their respective areas, ensuring that vaccination activities remain closely coordinated with veterinary authorities.
To strengthen accountability and disease surveillance, the system also requires authorised persons to submit a vaccination report within 14 days after administering the vaccine. The report captures essential information, including the number and details of animals vaccinated, the vaccine used and the location of the farm where vaccination took place. Reports can be submitted electronically through the platform or in writing.
The Department has also opened the system to integration with approved private-sector digital platforms, including those provided by RMIS, SAAI and Buffalo Analytics.
Information submitted through these approved systems will be shared with the Department of Agriculture and incorporated into the national FMD reporting database, enabling comprehensive monitoring of vaccination activities across the country.
According to Minister Aucamp, the reporting system will play a critical role in strengthening South Africa’s long-term animal health strategy.
“All the information gathered through these report-back systems will enable government to monitor progress of the vaccination programme,” he said.
“It will also enable us to efficiently provide up-to-date information on the success of South Africa’s vaccination programme to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) when we are in a position to apply for WOAH for FMD-free status with vaccination once again.”
Foot and Mouth Disease remains one of the most serious transboundary animal diseases, with outbreaks capable of disrupting livestock production, domestic trade and export markets.
By digitising the authorisation and reporting process, the Department aims to accelerate disease response, improve compliance and strengthen collaboration between government, veterinarians and livestock producers.
Minister Aucamp reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to working closely with industry stakeholders, noting that a unified and collaborative approach is essential to protecting South Africa’s livestock sector.
The online self-vaccination authorisation system is expected to enhance resilience across the agricultural value chain while supporting sustainable livestock production and safeguarding market access for South African producers.
FMD reporting system: https://fmd.nda.gov.za/
Step-by-step guidelines: https://www.nda.gov.za/…/request-for-authorisation…
