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Saai, is objecting to the joint declaration made by Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen and the German Federal Minister for Agriculture, Food Security and Regional Identity during the latter’s recent visit to South Africa. In this declaration, the two ministers announced cooperation on the vaccination of livestock and wildlife against foot-and-mouth disease, including a commitment to explore the use of mRNA vaccine technology in livestock. Saai wants to state unequivocally that most South African cattle producers and consumers will strongly resist the introduction of mRNA vaccines into the herds across South Africa. The organisation believes that the science has not yet sufficiently demonstrated the long-term safety of mRNA technologies. These technologies were widely deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2022, yet significant debate and unanswered questions remain regarding their broader medical consequences. Saai also notes that countries such as Russia and China largely avoided the widespread use of mRNA vaccines during the pandemic, and did not experience the same scale of unexplained medical concerns that have been raised elsewhere. Beyond the scientific debate, Saai warns that consumer confidence will be severely affected if mRNA technologies are introduced into livestock production. Millions of consumers who experienced the trauma of lockdowns and the severe infringement of personal freedoms during the COVID-19 pandemic, because they avoided vaccination with mRNA, will be deeply concerned about the possibility of being exposed to these technologies indirectly through the meat and milk they consume. This announcement also raises broader concerns within the farming community. Saai has previously challenged the Department of Agriculture and the Democratic Alliance on their policy direction regarding “fake meat”, particularly the regulations on meat analogues published in June 2025. Many farmers now view the potential introduction of mRNA vaccines into the livestock sector, alongside these regulatory developments, as part of a broader policy direction that could undermine traditional livestock production and place further pressure on family farmers. Recent events in Europe demonstrate how seriously farmers view such policy shifts. Hundreds of thousands of farmers in countries including the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany have taken to the streets to protest policies they believe threaten their livestock sectors. Saai will therefore spare no effort in demanding full transparency regarding any research, agreements or policy processes related to mRNA vaccine technologies in livestock. Farmers and consumers alike have the right to know exactly what technologies are being introduced into the food production system. Saai remains committed to protecting both producers and consumers from the introduction of technologies that may have uncertain consequences for animal health, animal products, and ultimately human consumers.