The Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), together with the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RMPC), wishes to bring an important matter to the urgent attention of all farmers and role-players affected by the current Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) situation.

It has recently come to our attention that private companies and individuals are circulating messages on farmer communication groups and social media platforms, encouraging farmers to register on specific websites or systems with the claim that this will secure access to FMD vaccines.

RMIS and the RMPC would like to state unequivocally that:

• Any organisation or individual claiming that farmers can gain access to FMD vaccine by registering on their private system is acting maliciously and without merit.
• No private entity currently has the authority to secure or distribute FMD vaccine outside of approved government processes.

This matter has been formally escalated and addressed with the Department of Agriculture, the Ministerial Task Team, and the Industry Coordination Committee.