The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has issued a significant ruling allowing farmers in South Africa to procure and administer Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines privately, without the involvement of the state veterinary services. This decision, made by Judge Corrie van der Westhuizen, also prohibits Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen from interfering in the commercial relations of those who lawfully import FMD vaccines. The ruling comes as an interim order while a review application is pending, challenging the government's ban on private vaccine procurement. The court found that the Minister and his department failed to provide a substantive defense against the application and criticized their conduct for delaying the case. The judgment emphasizes that private vaccination efforts will not hinder the government's responsibilities in controlling FMD but rather assist in combating the disease. Existing measures for livestock movement and FMD reporting remain intact, and while the state can provide vaccines to the private sector, it is not obligated to do so. This ruling marks a pivotal moment for farmers, enabling them to take proactive measures against FMD outbreaks.