Current Affairs - International - Discussion

South Africa rolled out its first locally produced foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine in 20 years as part of a strategic effort to enhance self-sufficiency in animal healthcare. Developed by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), the initiative aims to scale vaccine production to 20,000 doses per week. This move supports efforts to regain FMD-free status, which is critical for protecting cloven-hoofed livestock and maintaining access to global export markets. Beyond disease control, the science-driven approach helps stabilize rural economies by safeguarding livelihoods dependent on livestock farming.