THE FUSE

Gauteng is making encouraging progress in its efforts to control Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), bringing renewed hope to livestock farmers and the wider agricultural sector. The latest figures show that 244 quarantine restrictions have been lifted, while 68 outbreaks remain open out of 312 confirmed outbreaks recorded since April 2025. This development signals progress in managing the disease and supporting affected farming operations as they work towards recovery. However, the remaining active outbreaks show that continued vigilance and strong biosecurity measures remain essential. Protecting livestock health is not only important for farmers, but also for food security, employment and the stability of South Africa’s agricultural economy.