The Southern Africa Agri Initiative (Saai) is objecting to the joint declaration made by Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen and the German Federal Minister for Agriculture, Food Security and Regional Identity, Alois Rainer during the German minister’s recent visit to South Africa.
In this declaration, the two ministers announced cooperation on the vaccination of livestock and wildlife against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), including a commitment to explore the use of mRNA vaccine technology in livestock.
According to a press release by Saai, the initiative indicated that most South African cattle producers and consumers will strongly resist the introduction of mRNA vaccines into the herds across South Africa.
“The organisation believes that the science has not yet sufficiently demonstrated the long-term safety of mRNA technologies. These technologies were widely deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2022, yet significant debate and unanswered questions remain regarding their broader medical consequences,” the statement said.
Saai also notes that countries such as Russia and China largely avoided the widespread use of mRNA vaccines during the pandemic and did not experience the same scale of unexplained medical concerns that have been raised elsewhere.
Beyond the scientific debate, Saai warns that consumer confidence will be severely affected if mRNA technologies are introduced into livestock production.
“Millions of consumers who avoided mRNA vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic and experienced the trauma of lockdowns and severe infringement of personal freedoms will be deeply concerned about the possibility of being exposed to these technologies indirectly through the meat and milk they consume,” the statement said.
This announcement also raises broader concerns within the farming community.
Saai has previously challenged the Department of Agriculture and the Democratic Alliance on their policy direction regarding “fake meat”, particularly the regulations on meat analogues published in June 2025.
According to Saai, many farmers now view the potential introduction of mRNA vaccines into the livestock sector, alongside these regulatory developments, as part of a broader policy direction that could undermine traditional livestock production and place further pressure on family farmers.
Recent events in Europe demonstrate how seriously farmers view such policy shifts.
“Hundreds of thousands of farmers in countries including the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany have taken to the streets to protest policies they believe threaten their livestock sectors,” the statement said.
“Saai will therefore spare no effort in demanding full transparency regarding any research, agreements or policy processes related to mRNA vaccine technologies in livestock.”
Saai indicated that farmers and consumers alike have the right to know exactly what technologies are being introduced into the food production system.
“Saai remains committed to protecting both producers and consumers from the introduction of technologies that may have uncertain consequences for animal health, animal products, and ultimately human consumers,” the statement said.
According to a press release by the South African Government, South Africa and Germany have strengthened their agricultural cooperation through the signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent on Agricultural Development aimed at enhancing collaboration in the control of FMD and promoting trade in animal products.
The agreement was signed in Cape Town on 10 March by Steenhuisen and Germany’s Rainer.
“The signing represents a significant diplomatic milestone, marking the first visit by a German Minister of Agriculture to South Africa in 13 years. The visit signals renewed cooperation between the two countries in addressing key challenges related to biosecurity and international agricultural trade,” the statement said.
As South Africa continues to respond to the FMD outbreak, the partnership is expected to provide valuable technical expertise and innovation to strengthen disease control efforts.
“We are deeply appreciative of the German government’s commitment to this partnership,” said Steenhuisen.
“Welcoming my German counterpart to South African soil for the first time in over a decade underscores the significance of this agreement. This is not just a document; it is a powerful tool that will help us safeguard our livestock industry and secure the livelihoods of our farmers.”
The declaration identifies five priority areas of cooperation:
• Knowledge sharing through the exchange of best practices on outbreak prevention and FMD containment, with a focus on biosecurity in animal husbandry and veterinary services
• Wildlife monitoring to strengthen surveillance systems, particularly within wildlife populations
• Advanced immunisation research, including the exploration of mRNA technologies for FMD vaccines
• Diagnostic research and development of improved testing tools, including Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals (DIVA) diagnostic systems
• Risk management research focusing on FMD risk materials in controlled slaughter environments
According to the statement, the declaration comes at an important moment for South Africa’s agricultural sector, providing a structured framework for long-term collaboration and improved disease management.
“This collaboration goes beyond immediate crisis management,” said Steenhuisen.
“It creates opportunities for long-term exchange of expertise, expanded agricultural trade, skills development, and the integration of advanced technologies and innovation within the agricultural sector.”
The statement further noted that the partnership is expected to strengthen both countries’ ability to respond to animal disease threats while supporting sustainable agricultural development and international trade.
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