Private sector to help boost local FMD vaccine production

The South African government has approved a proposal to allow private companies to manufacture the country's foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine at scale, addressing production constraints amid the current outbreak. Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp announced the unanimous agreement by the ARC and its board on Monday. This decision will enable local and international companies to use the ARC's intellectual property under conditional licensing agreements to increase vaccine availability.

The ARC vaccine is an effective defense against domestic FMD strains and requires only annual administration. However, the council's current manufacturing limitations have hindered scale production. The government's partnership with the private sector is seen as a significant development to protect South Africa's livestock sector, enhance biosecurity, and secure food supply chains.

Agriculture Minister Aucamp listened to farmer and stakeholder concerns, emphasizing the need for swift action in dealing with the outbreak. The ARC will retain and expand its own FMD vaccine manufacturing capacity, with licensing agreement income used exclusively for this purpose. Although implementation will take time, all parties committed to proceeding without delay.

The ARC will also submit FMD field-circulating virus isolates from South Africa to the Pirbright Institute in the UK in October, aiming to assess the suitability of local and imported vaccines against current circulating viruses. The Department of Agriculture will continue collaborating with commodity organizations, provincial veterinary services, the ARC, organized agriculture, and other stakeholders to strengthen the country's FMD control program.