15 May 2026

Honourable Chairperson, Minister, fellow Members,

I rise on behalf of the ANC to welcome President Ramaphosa’s decisive action in declaring Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) a national disaster on 13 February 2026.

This classification is a necessary and bold step, recognising that the FMD outbreak threatens our livestock sector, food security, rural livelihoods, and export markets.

 As the President said, South Africa “will be mobilizing all necessary capabilities” in the state to tackle this crisis.

We commend this swift response: it marks a shift towards a modern biosecurity defence, treating animal disease control as a matter of national security.

The devastation of FMD, export bans, trade restrictions and ruined herds, has reminded us how quickly a disease can disrupt our economy and people’s livelihoods. No part of our agriculture sector is immune.

As Hon. Steenhuisen noted, FMD has long “cast a shadow over our livestock sector” and is “damaging our economy”. By declaring a national disaster, government can now streamline resources, fast-track vaccines and coordinate between Agriculture, Trade, Police and Disaster Management.

This integrated approach underlines that biosecurity is indeed a national security imperative: our food sovereignty and export competitiveness depend on it.

Crucially, South Africa is not fighting this battle alone. We are strengthening South–South cooperation in agriculture. During recent high-level visits to Latin America, South Africa signed a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) with Brazil and developed an Action Plan that will “accelerate our FMD eradication efforts”.

Brazil, recently declared FMD-free without vaccination, offers a successful roadmap that we can adapt. A South Africa, Brazil Biosecurity Corridor is on the table: joint early-warning systems and harmonised risk assessment will turn biosecurity from a trade barrier into a bridge for growth.

This South–South strategic alliance brings international science and best practice to bear on our farms. For example, later this month South African animal health experts will work side-by-side with Brazilian counterparts to share surveillance methods and disease tracing.

Domestically, we are empowering farmers in this war against FMD.

Last month the government published the Routine Vaccination Scheme (Section 10 of the Animal Diseases Act) in the Government Gazette.

This voluntary, fast-track programme allows commercial farmers to lead vaccination efforts at once, rather than waiting for the broader state rollout. Under this scheme – a true public–private partnership – farmers supply vaccines and hire authorised veterinarians, while the state oversees standards and traceability.

Importantly, every vaccinated animal is tracked with ear tags and digital records, assuring safe trade and continuity of business. This balances the agility of the private sector with government oversight: owners protect their own herds now yet do so under a coordinated national strategy.

Today, as we debate the Agriculture Vote, let us recognise that these measures, the disaster declaration, international alliances, and the Section 10 vaccination scheme, supported by evidence and fit neatly with our larger plans for transformation and rural development.

The ANC will continue to work with the Ministry of Agriculture, with international partners, and with all farmers (large and small) to ensure vaccines reach every farm and that our response stays strong.

 We applaud the President’s leadership and call on colleagues across committees (Trade, Industry, International Relations, etc.) to support resources for biosecurity.

In closing, Chairperson, we face a critical moment. By treating biosecurity as a national security imperative, we are protecting jobs, stabilising markets, and keeping food on our people’s tables.

Let us back this Budget Vote 29 with the resources needed for a resilient agricultural sector.

The ANC stands ready to build our country’s food security, to turn this disaster declaration into an opportunity for growth, cooperation, and innovation.

 Together we will ensure South Africa’s farms flourish and that future outbreaks are swiftly contained.

I thank you.