The Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) acknowledges the role of the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) in safeguarding animal welfare, and supports the need for clear, enforceable regulations.
By Nico van Burick, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
In response to the NSPCA’s opposition to transporting live animals by sea, RMIS CEO Dewald Olivier says a complete ban on livestock exports by sea would seriously harm meat producers and disrupt the red meat value chain.
In July, the Department of Agriculture invited public comment on the Draft Regulations for the Exportation of Live Animals by Sea, made under section 10 of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962. These regulations are intended to replace the existing Guidelines for the Exportation of Live Animals by Sea, issued in March 2023.
NSPCA Rejects Draft Regulations
In a statement, the NSPCA expressed its opposition to the draft regulations, stating that it has consistently rejected live animal export by sea as inherently cruel and unenforceable. The organisation claims the draft regulations not only fail to protect animals but also strips away critical safeguards. They carry “no criminal sanctions, no administrative fines and no enforcement mechanisms. In short, the regulations have no teeth – it is just a hollow document that protects the industry, not animals.”
“Regulations without penalties are nothing more than paperwork,” says senior inspector Nazareth Appalsamy, manager of the NSPCA’s Farm Animal Protection Unit. “The industry must be held accountable, and the law must empower the NSPCA to act when animals’ lives are at risk.”
The NSPCA warns that it will not sit idly by while the government attempts to rubber-stamp cruelty. If the draft regulations are not amended to provide the NSPCA with binding, enforceable standards and clear oversight powers, legal action may be considered.
RMIS Supports Regulated Trade
Dewald Olivier says the RMIS supports a system of regulated and traceable trade with clear standards and monitoring instead of a total ban. Its position is that this strikes a better balance by protecting animal welfare, safeguarding producers’ livelihoods, maintaining access to international markets and strengthening consumer confidence.
“We remain committed to practical solutions that reflect the principles of the Red Meat Industry Strategy 2030, according to which animal health, producer sustainability and the reputation of the South African red meat industry are treated equally.”
RPO Welcomes Rules that Protect Industry and Animal Welfare
Dr Frikkie Maré, CEO of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO), declined to comment directly on the NSPCA’s statement, but noted that their own report on the draft regulations welcomed their aims. “They create a balance between the economic benefits for the industry and animal welfare, which is also supported by the sector.”
Maré emphasised that the RPO plays a central role in protecting and promoting the interests of South Africa’s red meat producers. “The sector contributes significantly to national food security, rural livelihoods and the wider agricultural economy. At the same time, good animal welfare codes and requirements are crucial for sustainable red meat production.”
He pointed out that almost 2 billion live animals are transported across international borders annually. While the shipping of livestock is sometimes viewed negatively, recent shipments have demonstrated that it can be done successfully with animal welfare in mind.
Maré cited a recent independent monitoring report on an Al Mawashi bulk animal carrier that docked in East London in 2024, which showed a smooth operation with a mortality rate of only 0,02%.
“The guidelines that have been in place for the past few years will be replaced by these regulations once they are published in the Government Gazette. The RPO considers this a positive step to regulate the industry and ensure that the highest operating and welfare standards are maintained.”
