Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen says South Africa is adopting a new approach to dealing with the foot and mouth disease outbreak currently distressing the livestock industry.
The country is battling the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, threatening shortage of beef and possible higher prices.
Government says over 900 000 animals will be vaccinated in all areas that the department has prioritised.
Steenhuisen says government is looking for a long-term plan for South Africa declared free of foot and mouth disease. He says this would help boost access to market opportunities.
"We are adopting a new approach after this recent outbreak and thats adopting a mass vaccination programme. The department has set aside R42 million to purchase vaccines. First batch of 900 000 vaccines will be with us shortly, we intend to start vaccinating in the disease management areas as well as in certain feedlots that have been affected in Gauteng and also to try and protect the sector and to get the disease under control going forward," says Steenhuisen.