South Africa and Germany have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening efforts to control the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and safeguard trade in livestock and animal products.
The joint declaration of intent, signed on March 11, outlines collaboration between the two countries in agricultural development and animal health, according to a statement from South Africa’s agriculture ministry.
The partnership will focus on five main areas of cooperation, including the exchange of best practices for preventing and containing FMD outbreaks, wildlife surveillance, research into vaccine development, the creation of advanced diagnostic tools, and improved risk management of high-risk materials in slaughterhouses.
South African Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen said the agreement represents a broader effort to modernize the country’s animal health systems while strengthening international cooperation.
“This collaboration goes beyond immediate crisis management,” Steenhuisen said. “It paves the way for long-term exchanges of expertise, trade development, skills enhancement, and the integration of cutting-edge technology and innovation in agriculture.”
Germany’s expertise in veterinary science and animal disease management is expected to play a key role in the partnership.
The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Germany’s national research institute for animal health, is widely recognized for its work on infectious animal diseases and biosecurity. The institute has been involved in developing innovative vaccines and diagnostic tools for FMD and other livestock diseases.
Officials say the collaboration will combine Germany’s research capacity with South Africa’s field experience in managing outbreaks, particularly in regions where livestock interact closely with wildlife.
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Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral illness that affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. Outbreaks can cause severe economic losses because countries often impose trade restrictions on livestock and meat products from affected regions.
South Africa has been among the countries in southern Africa most affected by the disease in recent years.
Since 2021, outbreaks have impacted both commercial and smallholder farms across several provinces, prompting authorities to tighten surveillance and vaccination programs.
Following a resurgence of cases in 2025, the South African government launched a nationwide vaccination campaign in January 2026 aimed at containing the spread of the disease and protecting the country’s livestock industry.
To support the campaign, Pretoria has sourced vaccines from several international suppliers, including the Botswana Vaccine Institute, Argentina-based veterinary pharmaceutical firm Biogénesis Bagó, and Turkey’s Dollvet.
Officials say the effort is intended to ensure a stable supply of vaccines while domestic production capacity continues to expand.
The disease has already begun to affect regional trade.
Since the start of 2026, several countries have imposed restrictions or bans on imports of cattle and related livestock products from South Africa. These include Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mauritius, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia.
Trade data indicate that livestock exports represent a significant source of revenue for South Africa’s agricultural sector.
According to figures compiled on the Trade Map platform, South Africa exported nearly US$200 million worth of fresh and frozen beef in 2024, along with around US$23.2 million in live cattle.
Industry analysts warn that prolonged restrictions could weigh on export earnings and disrupt supply chains for farmers and meat processors.
For Pretoria, strengthening animal health systems and controlling the spread of FMD is therefore not only a public health priority but also a critical economic objective.
Officials say the new cooperation agreement with Germany could help accelerate research and improve early detection systems, potentially reducing the frequency and severity of outbreaks.
By combining surveillance, vaccine research, and improved diagnostics, the partnership aims to reinforce South Africa’s capacity to manage animal diseases while restoring confidence in its livestock exports.
