New online FMD authorisation lets farmers vaccinate but carries reporting rules

The national Department of Agriculture has opened an online portal that allows livestock owners and managers to apply for official authorisation to vaccinate their animals against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). The system was launched by Minister Willie Aucamp to give farmers direct control over voluntary vaccination while maintaining legal and biosecurity safeguards.

How the new system works

The process is delivered through a digital FMD reporting site where owners and managers can register and apply to be approved as an “Authorised Person” allowed to administer FMD vaccines under the Act. Approval is a precondition for vaccinating animals.

After receiving approval, authorised persons must notify the Provincial Director of Veterinary Services or the applicable State Veterinarian of their intention to vaccinate. The notification must be made at least five days before administering the vaccine and may be submitted either via the online system or in writing.

Once notice is given, authorised persons may obtain vaccines from their authorised veterinarian in the area.

Reporting and traceability requirements

Authorised persons are required to submit feedback on vaccinations administered. That feedback must be provided to the local state veterinarian within 14 days after administering the vaccine, using the online feedback system or in writing.

The required report-back includes details on the animals vaccinated, the vaccine used and the farm location where vaccination took place. The Department of Agriculture has said it will consolidate information gathered through approved report-back systems to monitor the vaccination programme.

Third-party systems and the private sector

Livestock owners and managers may use approved online systems offered by private sector stakeholders such as Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), Southern African Agri Initiative (SAAI) and Buffalo Analytics. All information received from any third-party system will be shared with the Department of Agriculture and uploaded on its system.

The minister emphasised that it is the responsibility of livestock owners and managers to confirm that their chosen system has been approved by the Director of Animal Health.

Government role and costs

Minister Aucamp said the voluntary vaccination rollout places the cost of vaccines for voluntary vaccinations on the farmers who choose to vaccinate. Government will continue to provide vaccines to areas where new outbreaks have been reported, and to farmers who cannot afford vaccines.

Monitoring and international reporting

Department officials said the consolidated reporting will help them monitor progress of the vaccination programme and provide up-to-date information to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) when the country is in a position to apply for FMD-free status with vaccination.

“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,” Aucamp noted.

On collaboration, Aucamp encouraged agricultural organisations to liaise with approved vaccine importers to determine vaccine needs for their members and for importers to consult veterinarians on orders for clients in specific areas. “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,” he concluded.