Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has welcomed a High Court ruling affirming government’s authority to manage South Africa’s response to Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).
The Gauteng Division of the High Court dismissed an urgent application by business group Sakeliga seeking to allow private procurement of FMD vaccines outside the national framework.
Instead, the court postponed the matter, giving the Department of Agriculture time to finalise a national vaccination scheme.
Steenhuisen said the ruling supports a coordinated and science-based response, warning that bypassing regulations could undermine disease control and export standards.
He added that government is already advancing plans for a vaccination programme, while efforts to contain outbreaks and secure additional vaccines continue.
No tags for this post.
