The South African red meat industry has issued a clarion call for immediate government action to overhaul the country’s biosecurity and disease control systems, warning that current outdated frameworks threaten food security and international trade prospects.
By Maile Matsimela
Speaking at a crucial national FMD indaba in Pretoria, Dewald Olivier, CEO of Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), delivered a stark message about the urgency of the situation facing the sector. “Our gathering here is a shared acknowledgment that we can no longer rely on the way things have always been done. It’s not just unsustainable, it’s damaging our industry,” Olivier declared.
Strategic Plan for Transformation
The industry has developed a comprehensive Strategic Plan aimed at addressing the mounting biosecurity challenges that have hampered the red meat sector’s growth and competitiveness. The plan focuses on critical areas including veterinary capacity restoration, vaccine production diversification, enhanced traceability systems, and regional zoning options for foot-and-mouth disease vaccination.
Central to the industry’s proposal is the alignment of South Africa’s biosecurity systems with international standards set by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). This modernisation effort seeks to replace what industry leaders describe as an inadequate framework that undermines both domestic production and export potential.
The red meat industry has demonstrated its commitment to the proposed transformation by pledging substantial financial support. Industry stakeholders have committed to co-financing vaccine procurement, investing in traceability infrastructure and data platforms, and supporting initiatives to develop veterinary capacity across the country.
Industry Unity and Financial Commitment
A remarkable coalition of industry organisations has united behind this initiative, including the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO), SAFA, RMAA, Milk Producers Organisation (MPO), MilkSA, Nalfa-SA, SAFLA/APAC, AgriSA, GrainSA, WRSA, National Wool Growers (NWGA), Cape Wools, Mohair SA, RuVASA, AFASA, SAVA Wildlife Group, SAPPO, TLU, LRF, Stamboek, and Kwanalu.
The plan addresses several critical challenges that have long plagued the sector. Weak veterinary capacity has left the country vulnerable to disease outbreaks, whilst insufficient vaccine strategies and poor traceability systems have impaired the industry’s ability to manage foot-and-mouth disease effectively. These shortcomings have not only threatened food security but have also created significant barriers to international trade.
Olivier emphasised the need for swift action, warning against the bureaucratic delays that have historically hampered progress in the agricultural sector. “This delegation cannot be symbolic. It must be empowered, accountable, and deliver within days – not years,” he stated, calling for the establishment of a joint government-industry delegation to finalise and fund an actionable plan within a short timeframe.
The industry has welcomed support from government stakeholders who have expressed backing for regionalisation and infrastructure investment. However, industry leaders have stressed the necessity for clear, time-bound actions rather than prolonged discussions that fail to produce tangible results.
Implementation Framework and Future Vision
The proposed Strategic Plan represents a science-based approach to replacing systems that industry leaders argue have become obsolete and counterproductive. The plan’s emphasis on modernising vaccine production and improving access to vaccines addresses one of the most pressing concerns facing livestock farmers across the country.
The implementation of a national Animal ID system forms a cornerstone of the traceability improvements outlined in the plan. This system would enable better disease monitoring and management whilst providing the documentation necessary for international trade compliance.
Regional zoning options for FMD vaccination represent another significant component of the proposed reforms. This approach would allow different regions to implement vaccination strategies appropriate to their specific risk profiles and trade requirements.
The industry’s willingness to invest substantially in the proposed changes demonstrates the sector’s recognition that transformation is essential for long-term sustainability. The collaborative approach between government and industry stakeholders offers a model for addressing other challenges facing South African agriculture.
Olivier concluded his address with a vision for the future: “Let us build – together – a new foundation for biosecurity, trade and lasting prosperity. Not just for every role player, but above all, for South Africa.”
