Western Cape Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Minister Dr Ivan Meyer has welcomed a proposal by National Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp to open up the Agricultural Research Council’s (ARC) Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine intellectual property to qualifying private sector manufacturers.
Unanimously
The ARC Board unanimously endorsed the proposal, which would allow private companies to participate in the large-scale manufacture of South Africa’s FMD vaccine.
Meyer said the decision was a significant breakthrough in strengthening the country’s capacity to respond to FMD outbreaks and building a more resilient animal health system.
“I welcome Minister Aucamp’s proposal, which has received the unanimous support of the ARC Board, to expand the production of South Africa’s FMD vaccine through partnerships with qualifying private manufacturers,” he said. “This is a bold and practical intervention that will strengthen our ability to combat FMD and protect the country’s livestock industry.”
Meyer said the fight against FMD required a whole-of-sector approach and that South Africa must rapidly expand its vaccine production capacity to meet current and future needs.
“By enabling qualifying private companies to utilise the ARC’s intellectual property and participate in large-scale vaccine manufacturing, South Africa will be better positioned to ensure a reliable supply of vaccines, respond more rapidly to outbreaks, and strengthen national biosecurity,” he said.
Serious threat
He noted that FMD posed a serious threat to livestock production, food security, export markets, and jobs across the agricultural value chain.
“The livestock sector is a critical driver of economic growth and rural development. Strengthening domestic vaccine production capacity will help safeguard farmers, protect agricultural jobs, enhance food security, and support the long-term competitiveness of South African agriculture,” Meyer said.
He added that the proposal demonstrated the value of collaboration between government, science, and the private sector.
“The ARC has developed world-class expertise in animal health research. Allowing private sector participation in vaccine production will help translate that scientific excellence into practical outcomes at scale. This is an example of how innovation and partnership can be leveraged to address a national challenge,” he said.
Surveillance
The Western Cape Government supports measures that strengthen disease surveillance, improve vaccine availability, and enhance South Africa’s overall biosecurity framework, Meyer said.
“We commend Minister Aucamp and the ARC Board for this forward-looking initiative. Expanding vaccine manufacturing capacity is an important step towards building a more resilient livestock sector and strengthening our collective fight against FMD,” he said.
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