On 4 July 2025, South Africa’s Department of Agriculture officially lifted the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Disease Management Areas (DMAs) in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo provinces. Announced by Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and enacted immediately through publication in the Government Gazette, this decision ends the stringent movement bans on cloven-hoofed animals and their products in Kouga, Kou-Kamma (Eastern Cape) and Vhembe (Limpopo). Farmers and transporters in these zones can now move livestock freely once again, marking a significant milestone in the containment of FMD following months—and, in some cases, years—of intensive veterinary interventions.

Eastern Cape and Limpopo Outbreaks Contained

In the Eastern Cape, FMD cases first appeared in Kouga and Kou-Kamma municipalities in July 2024. Veterinary teams responded swiftly with an aggressive containment strategy. Over 144 000 vaccine doses were administered to cattle and other susceptible species, building up herd immunity across the DMA. After the final confirmed case in September 2024, extensive serological surveillance—blood tests to detect antibodies—revealed no hidden pockets of infection. With several months of negative results and no new outbreaks, the Department of Agriculture deemed it safe to lift all regional movement restrictions.

Limpopo’s Vhembe DMA, established in September 2022 around communal cattle dip tanks, presented a longer challenge. Two rounds of vaccinations at 34 dip tanks delivered 23 024 doses, and follow-up testing by the end of 2024 found no evidence of active FMD virus. Farmers in Vhembe and surrounding areas had endured nearly three years of restricted livestock movement, but with the virus contained, they can now resume normal trade and transport activities. This dual success underscores the value of sustained vaccination efforts combined with targeted surveillance.

Ongoing Quarantine Measures in the Eastern Cape

Although the Eastern Cape DMA has been lifted, authorities maintain quarantines on 76 specific farms that either confirmed infections or participated in the vaccination campaign. Movement on and off these farms remains tightly controlled until each undergoes follow-up testing twelve months after its last vaccination to confirm virus absence. This farm-level quarantine ensures that any residual virus is caught before broader restrictions are fully removed.

To ease pressure on dairy producers, the Department has also adjusted pasteurisation requirements: milk from these quarantined farms may now be sold after a single pasteurisation cycle, rather than the previous double-pasteurisation standard. This change reflects confidence that the risk of viral contamination in milk is now minimal, helping farmers restore some revenue while maintaining public and animal health safeguards.

KwaZulu-Natal Still Under FMD Restrictions

In contrast, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) remains under active DMA restrictions due to ongoing signs of FMD virus circulation. New cases have sporadically emerged, some beyond original zone boundaries, indicating incomplete containment. Consequently, movement bans on cloven-hoofed animals and related products remain in force across the KZN DMA.

To manage risk, a specialised abattoir in Vryheid has been designated for animals from quarantined or restricted farms, ensuring that potentially infected livestock are processed under strict biosecurity protocols. Additionally, a risk-based biosecurity assessment system evaluates each farm’s practices—such as disinfection procedures, controlled access, and movement logs—and assigns tailored restrictions based on its risk profile. Farms demonstrating robust biosecurity may earn limited relaxations, while those with weaker controls face stricter oversight. Until KZN achieves sustained negative surveillance results, these measures will continue to protect neighbouring provinces and the national herd.

Significance of the Lifting for Farmers and the Economy

The removal of DMAs in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo delivers tangible benefits for farmers, rural communities, and the broader agricultural sector. Livestock traders who had been unable to buy, sell, or transport animals for months can now re-enter the market, restoring cash flow and stabilising livestock values. The resumption of normal trade also alleviates logistical bottlenecks in the supply chain for meat, hides, and genetic materials. For dairy producers on quarantined farms, the move to single-pasteurisation reduces processing costs and speeds product delivery, supporting livelihoods during the final testing phase.

Industry bodies such as Agri SA have hailed the decision as a “critical milestone” in South Africa’s fight against FMD, praising the collaboration between government authorities, veterinary services, and farmers. Achieving FMD-free status in these regions is essential for domestic food security and for regaining access to international export markets that faced FMD-related restrictions. Moreover, this success rebuilds confidence in the nation’s animal disease management systems, demonstrating that coordinated vaccination, surveillance, and rapid response can effectively halt outbreaks.

Continued Vigilance and Next Steps

Despite this progress, authorities stress that the nationwide battle against FMD is not yet over. Minister Steenhuisen has called on all stakeholders—farm workers, veterinarians, transporters, and rural communities—to maintain rigorous biosecurity measures. Disinfection protocols, movement logs, and early reporting of suspicious animal symptoms remain vital to prevent resurgence.

A national FMD Imbizo meeting scheduled for late July 2025 will gather government, industry, and veterinary experts to review lessons learned and refine response plans. Key topics include vaccine stockpiling, expanded surveillance networks, and resource allocation for remaining hotspots like KwaZulu-Natal. Continued serological testing in lifted DMAs and close monitoring of quarantined farms will ensure that any new infections are swiftly contained.

Conclusion

The lifting of the FMD Disease Management Areas in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo on 4 July 2025 represents a pivotal achievement in South Africa’s long-running battle against Foot-and-Mouth Disease. Through coordinated vaccination campaigns, rigorous surveillance, and targeted quarantines, veterinary authorities successfully halted virus transmission in Kouga, Kou-Kamma, and Vhembe—allowing farmers to resume normal livestock movement and trade after months or even years of restrictions.

By upholding the highest standards of animal health and rapidly responding to any new threats, South Africa aims to achieve full, countrywide FMD-free status—protecting farmers’ livelihoods, strengthening food security, and re-establishing confidence in both domestic and international markets.

Sources:

Media statement: “Minister John Steenhuisen lifts foot and mouth disease management area restrictions in Eastern Cape and Limpopo”
National Department of Agriculture, Government of South Africa — 4 July 2025
https://www.nda.gov.za/images/Newsroom/Media%20Releases/2025/media-statement-foot-and-mouth-disease-management-area-restrictions-lifted.pdf

“Foot-and-mouth disease management areas lifted in Eastern Cape, Limpopo”
TimesLIVE — 4 July 2025
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2025-07-04-foot-and-mouth-disease-management-areas-lifted-in-eastern-cape-limpopo/

“Foot-and-mouth disease restrictions lifted in Eastern Cape, Limpopo”
Farmers Weekly — 5 July 2025
https://www.farmersweekly.co.za/agri-news/south-africa/foot-and-mouth-disease-restrictions-lifted-in-eastern-cape-limpopo/

“Foot and mouth disease successfully contained in three municipalities”
The Citizen — 5 July 2025
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/foot-mouth-disease-successfully-contained-two-provinces/

“South Africa: FMD restrictions lifted in ECape and Limpopo, KZN still at risk”
Bizcommunity.com — 8 July 2025
https://www.zawya.com/en/world/africa/south-africa-fmd-restrictions-lifted-in-ecape-and-limpopo-kzn-still-at-risk-lx9z7byk

“Foot and Mouth Disease Restrictions Lifted in Eastern Cape and Limpopo, Confirms Agriculture Minister Steenhuisen”
Central News South Africa — 5 July 2025
https://centralnews.co.za/foot-and-mouth-disease-restrictions-lifted-in-eastern-cape-and-limpopo-confirms-agriculture-minister-steenhuisen/