The RV-FMD, issued under Section 10 of the Animal Diseases Act (No. 35 of 1984), allows voluntary participation by owners of cloven-hoofed livestock but establishes defined conditions for traceability, vaccination, record-keeping, and oversight.
Formal governance structure introduced
The final scheme provides for the establishment of a dedicated committee to oversee implementation. The committee will include representatives from the state, veterinary sector, agricultural industries, and research institutions.
Its functions include coordinating the scheme, reviewing participation requirements, advising on vaccine availability, and reporting to the national director of animal health (the director) and the minister of agriculture (the minister).
The DoA, in partnership with the livestock industry, is required to provide the committee with administrative and logistical support.
Defined roles for government
The director is responsible for determining testing protocols and approving laboratories. They must also issue a peer-reviewed FMD manual within 90 days of the scheme’s promulgation.
State veterinary services will oversee disease surveillance and must be notified of suspected FMD cases. The director is further responsible for issuing certificates of participation and may cancel participation where requirements are not met.
The scheme also allows the minister to introduce mandatory control measures where necessary, despite the voluntary nature of participation.
Participation linked to traceability standards
The RV-FMD makes traceability a central requirement for participation, and livestock owners must ensure that:
- All animals are permanently identified and recorded on a traceability system;
- Farm locations are registered with a global location number or geographic coordinates; and
- Animal movement and ownership changes are recorded.
Participation is conditional on compliance with these conditions and is formalised through the issuing of a certificate.
Expanded record-keeping obligations
The scheme also sets out detailed record-keeping requirements. Participants must maintain updated records on a traceability system, including:
- Vaccination registers and batch numbers;
- Animal identification data;
- Records of births, deaths, sales, and movement;
- Morbidity and mortality data;
- Vaccine storage temperature logs; and
- Audit reports.
Records must be retained for a minimum of five years.
Vaccination, biosecurity, and veterinary oversight
Participants are required to appoint an authorised veterinarian or veterinary paraprofessional to oversee vaccination activities.
Responsibilities include:
- Monitoring vaccine handling and cold chain management;
- Supervising vaccination procedures;
- Conducting post-vaccination surveillance; and
- Reporting suspected cases of FMD.
A site-specific biosecurity plan must be developed for each participating farm, with implementation remaining the responsibility of the livestock owner.
Compliance, audits, and enforcement measures
The final RV-FMD introduces defined compliance procedures. Participants must submit to audits and inspections and comply with requirements set by the committee.
Where non-compliance is identified, a notice will be issued, allowing 14 days for corrective action. Failure to comply may result in the withdrawal of participation.
Costs remain with livestock owners
The scheme states that vaccine and vaccination costs must be borne by the owner of the animals. Provision is made for potential subsidies, cost-sharing mechanisms, or phased implementation approaches, but no specific funding commitments are outlined.
How the final scheme differs from the earlier draft
Compared with the earlier draft scheme, the final version introduces:
- A formal governance structure through the committee;
- More detailed traceability and record-keeping requirements;
- Explicit audit and compliance procedures; and
- Clearer provisions for certification and participation status.
The scheme applies nationwide and will remain in force until amended or withdrawn by the minister.
