The Milk Producers' Organisation (MPO) has sharply criticised the Department of Agriculture over what it describes as poor communication, reduced vaccine allocations and unnecessary delays in the rollout of vaccines to combat foot and mouth disease (FMD).

In a statement issued to dairy producers, the organisation said it was "profoundly disappointed and concerned" by the department's handling of the latest allocation of FMD vaccines.

According to the MPO, the dairy industry had expected to receive 200 000 vaccine doses following official communication from the ministry three weeks earlier. However, the organisation says it has since learnt that only 50 000 doses will be allocated to the sector – a reduction of 75%.

The MPO also criticised the department for failing to formally notify the organisation of the reduced allocation, saying the lack of communication has created uncertainty within the dairy industry.

The organisation further expressed frustration over delays in distributing the vaccines after they arrived in South Africa. It said the vaccines remained at Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) for approximately two weeks before distribution could begin following the finalisation of official allocations.

The MPO argued that such delays are unacceptable during an active FMD response, where rapid vaccination is critical to limiting the spread of the disease. It warned that the delayed rollout has placed unnecessary pressure on producers and undermined broader disease control efforts.

The dairy industry body said it has consistently supported South Africa's national FMD control programme and expects the Department of Agriculture to demonstrate the same level of commitment, transparency, and accountability.

"The current situation has created uncertainty and has undermined confidence in the management of the vaccination programme," the organisation said.

The MPO confirmed that it has formally raised its concerns with the dpartment and will continue advocating for what it believes is a fair vaccine allocation and improved communication on behalf of dairy producers.

It also revealed that an attempt had been made to contact newly appointed Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp regarding the matter but said no response had been received at the time of the statement.

The MPO said it would continue updating members as further information becomes available.

The FMD pandemic has already brought down one leader of the DA, as well as two department chiefs of staff, and cost that leader his place in the Cabinet. The pandemic response has also done severe damage to the DA’s reputation in government, given that it insisted on the state-centric approach, which is again responsible for the latest delays and vaccine misallocations. Aucamp was expected to set this right but appears to have already incited the frustration of farmers. Should this continue, Aucamp risks a repeat of the chain of events that brought down his predecessor John Steenhuisen, and with this further damage to the DA’s reputation in government.