Victory for farmers in FMD fight 

Free State Agriculture (FSA) welcomes the latest order of the Pretoria High Court, which marks a decisive turning point in the ongoing fight to protect South Africa’s livestock industry against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

Following months of legal action driven by FSA and its partners, the Court has on 25 May 2026 confirmed that livestock owners may, under clearly defined conditions, procure and administer lawfully imported or manufactured FMD vaccines to their animals.

This development directly addresses the long-standing position advanced by FSA, namely that there is no lawful basis to prevent responsible private-sector participation in vaccination efforts.

The order further prohibits undue interference by the state in lawful commercial relationships within the vaccine supply chain, reinforcing the need for a functional and accessible vaccine market.

Importantly, the Court has also ordered the Minister of Agriculture, the Director-General, and the Director of Animal Health to bear the legal costs of the application, underscoring the consequences of continued delays and obstruction.

This ruling builds on earlier court interventions where government was compelled to act with urgency and transparency in addressing the FMD crisis.

“This order is a major step forward for farmers who have been left exposed for too long. It confirms that producers can take responsible action to protect their herds, while government delays and interference are no longer acceptable.” says Francois Wilken, President of FSA.

While the order provides immediate interim relief, the matter will proceed to final determination, with further legal steps to be instituted within 20 days.

Friedl von Maltitz, vice president of FSA, confirms that the organisation will continue to engage the legal process to ensure that the final regulatory framework supports the agricultural sector, protects livelihoods, and strengthens national biosecurity.