National Disaster status for Foot-and-Mouth to unlock aid for WC farmers.

Livestock farmers in the Western Cape are set to benefit from stronger support after President Cyril Ramaphosa declared Foot and Mouth Disease a National Disaster.

The President made the announcement during his State of the Nation Adress on Thursday.

The Western Cape Government said the declaration will fast-track vaccine procurement and improve coordination across provinces, as the country battles one of its most severe outbreaks in years.

Western Cape Agriculture MEC Ivan Meyer said decentralising vaccine procurement will help provinces respond faster and protect jobs, exports, and farming communities.

Meyer added that vaccinations are underway, with more doses being rolled out this weekend.

"Foot and mouth disease is a national crisis in South Africa, and my heart is bleeding for our farmers their livestock and their livelihood because for many farmers this is their bread and butter," said Meyer