Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen formally rescinded the disease management area (DMA) through a Government Gazette notice published on 15 May, ending measures that had been in place since 2021.
The gazette repeals the control measures introduced under Government Notice No. 5997 of March 2025, with Steenhuisen acting under Section 9(1) of the Animal Diseases Act (No. 35 of 1984) to formally rescind the FMD management area in KZN.
The decision marks a significant turning point in South Africa’s ongoing battle against FMD, which has repeatedly disrupted livestock production, auctions, feedlot operations, and export opportunities since outbreaks began to intensify in KZN in 2019.
Why the DMA has been lifted
The DMA was originally introduced to contain the spread of FMD through strict movement controls on cloven-hoofed animals. However, over time, producers within the DMA increasingly argued that the restrictions were no longer scientifically justified, particularly as outbreaks spread beyond the original containment boundaries.
Speaking during a media briefing in Cape Town earlier this week, Steenhuisen said the epidemiological situation in KZN had changed substantially since the DMA was first declared.
“By 2026, the reality on the ground changed significantly, with FMD outbreaks spreading to all districts across KZN,” he said.
“Ironically, our data now shows that the very areas tucked inside the DMA have seen fewer outbreaks compared with the regions outside its borders.”
He added that maintaining separate restrictions for different parts of the province had become “scientifically and ethically difficult to justify”.
Economic toll on the livestock industry
For many livestock producers, the lifting of the DMA will provide much-needed operational relief. Farmers within the restricted zone faced ongoing challenges related to livestock movement permits, biosecurity compliance costs, and disrupted access to auctions, feedlots, and formal markets.
The restrictions also had serious implications for cash flow, particularly for cattle farmers dependent on seasonal weaner sales and animal movement between grazing areas. Industry bodies had repeatedly warned that prolonged restrictions threatened the sustainability of many farming operations and rural jobs linked to the livestock value chain.
The KZN Agricultural Union (Kwanalu) has welcomed the decision, saying it follows years of sustained engagement with government and industry stakeholders.
“This is a critical milestone for agriculture in KZN. While it has taken longer than it should have, this outcome reflects the sustained pressure applied by Kwanalu to ensure that the realities facing producers were acknowledged and acted upon,” PJ Hassard, beef farmer and Kwanalu chairperson, said.
According to Kwanalu, the DMA restrictions had a severe and far-reaching economic impact on the livestock industry, with losses running into billions of rands. Producers across commodity groups experienced disruptions to market access, cash flow constraints, and increased operational costs, while the effects also filtered through to employment, product supply, and food prices.
Years of pressure and lobbying
Kwanalu CEO Sandy La Marque said the emotional and financial strain on producers had been immense.
“We have seen first-hand the strain this has placed on producers, their businesses, and the people who depend on them. The emotional and financial toll has been significant, and while this decision brings relief, it also underscores how critical it is that future responses are both timely and practical,” she said.
Hassard added that the outcome reflected years of formal submissions, direct engagement with government officials, and coordination with industry stakeholders. He said Kwanalu had even obtained legal opinion and asserted its policy position when progress appeared to stall.
Biosecurity measures remain critical
While the lifting of the DMA removes a major administrative burden, both government and industry leaders stress that the threat posed by FMD remains serious.
Steenhuisen emphasised that government is not abandoning disease-control measures but rather shifting towards a unified national livestock movement control system for all cloven-hoofed animals.
“Lifting the DMA does not mean we are dropping our guard. We are currently developing a country-wide movement control protocol for all cloven-hoofed animals to ensure that every province adheres to the same rigorous standards,” he explained.
In a press release prior to the gazetting of the notice, the Department of Agriculture said that, to date, more than 4,5 million animals had already been vaccinated against FMD across South Africa, adding that authorities are also working to strengthen testing capacity in KZN and the Western Cape through the accreditation of private laboratories to speed up diagnostics.
Kwanalu also urged livestock owners not to become complacent despite the easing of restrictions.
“While the lifting of the DMA is a significant step forward, livestock owners must remain cautious. The conditions now in place mean we are not returning to a pre-FMD environment. Compliance and responsible management will remain essential as the industry moves forward,” Hassard said.
The organisation said it will continue to engage with authorities and industry bodies to ensure that future regulations are practical, clearly understood, and aligned with both disease-control objectives and the long-term sustainability of the livestock industry.
