Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen says international trading partners have been informed about the outbreak of Gosss Wilt Disease in maize.
The outbreak of the bacterial disease has been reported in the Free State, North West, Gauteng and Eastern Cape.
It can cause stunting in crops like maize and result in lower yields.
Steenhuisen was answering a written parliamentary question on what measures the department has taken to prevent the spread of Gosss Wilt.
He says government has notified the relevant international bodies. He says one of the organizations has since ensured that a pest alert is submitted to all trading partners to ensure safe trading especially to African countries.