SA–Argentina Pact Signals Major Escalation in Fight Against Foot and Mouth Disease

At the centre of the engagement was a ministerial-level meeting between Steenhuisen and Argentina’s Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Sergio Iraeta.

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has concluded a strategically significant working visit to Argentina, securing a series of high-impact agreements aimed at strengthening South Africa's capacity to combat Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and stabilise its livestock sector.

The visit marks a decisive step in reinforcing the country's biosecurity systems at a time when FMD outbreaks continue to pose serious risks to agricultural productivity, trade, and rural livelihoods.

At the centre of the engagement was a ministerial-level meeting between Steenhuisen and Argentina's Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Sergio Iraeta. The discussions culminated in a firm commitment to a structured cooperation framework that will deepen bilateral ties while accelerating joint efforts to control and prevent FMD.

This partnership is anchored in the 2026–2028 FMD Work Plan, a time-bound programme designed to move beyond diplomatic agreements toward practical, coordinated action. The framework emphasises enhanced technical collaboration, targeted capacity building, and strengthened scientific exchange. Its primary objective is to improve prevention strategies, bolster preparedness, and ensure rapid response mechanisms in the face of outbreaks.

Steenhuisen led a high-level delegation that included senior officials and key stakeholders from institutions such as Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP), the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), and representatives of organised agriculture. The composition of the delegation reflects a deliberate effort to align global expertise with South Africa's domestic operational needs, particularly as the country navigates a critical phase in managing animal health risks.

A central pillar of the visit was securing vaccine supply. South Africa has already obtained and distributed 2.5 million doses of FMD vaccines from Argentine manufacturer Biogénesis Bagó. These include one million doses of bivalent vaccines targeting SAT-1 and SAT-2 strains, and 1.5 million doses of trivalent vaccines covering SAT-1, SAT-2, and SAT-3.

During the visit, the delegation inspected production facilities where an additional five million doses are ready for export, pending regulatory approval by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority under Section 21. This pipeline is expected to significantly enhance the country's ability to scale up vaccination efforts in the near term.

To ensure long-term supply stability, OBP and Biogénesis Bagó finalised a distribution agreement that will establish a reliable and continuous vaccine pipeline. This agreement is seen as critical in moving from reactive responses to sustained disease management.

Steenhuisen emphasised the urgency of the situation, noting that rapid vaccine deployment is essential to staying ahead of the disease. He stressed that protecting the national herd is not only an agricultural priority but also an economic imperative, given the sector's contribution to food security, employment, and export earnings.

The Minister also highlighted the broader regional implications of South Africa's response. The livestock sector is deeply interconnected across the Southern African Development Community (SADC), meaning that effective disease control in South Africa has direct consequences for neighbouring economies and food systems.

"This partnership is about integrating science, production, and implementation to build a resilient animal health system capable not only of managing the current outbreak, but of preventing future crises," he stated.

A notable policy shift emerging from the visit is the increased role of the private sector in vaccine distribution. The government plans to expand distribution channels to include private actors, operating under coordinated oversight, to ensure vaccines reach farms more efficiently and at scale. This approach aims to bridge longstanding gaps between policy formulation and on-the-ground implementation.

Looking ahead, discussions also explored positioning South Africa as a regional vaccine distribution hub for the SADC region. Leveraging its partnerships and institutional capacity, the country could play a central role in strengthening regional biosecurity and ensuring timely access to critical vaccines.

In parallel, scientific cooperation received a significant boost. The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) renewed and extended its partnership with Argentina's Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), building on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2021. The renewed agreement will deepen collaboration in research, technology transfer, and skills development, particularly in animal health and vaccine innovation.

This expanded scientific alliance reflects a shared commitment to advancing both research excellence and practical solutions that can enhance the resilience and competitiveness of agricultural sectors in both countries.

Overall, the visit represents a major escalation in South Africa's fight against FMD. By combining international collaboration, strengthened vaccine supply chains, expanded distribution mechanisms, and enhanced scientific partnerships, the government is signalling a more proactive and integrated approach to managing animal health risks.

The success of these initiatives will ultimately depend on execution. However, the agreements reached in Argentina lay a strong foundation for safeguarding South Africa's livestock industry, protecting rural economies, and restoring confidence in the country's biosecurity framework.