As foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) continues to reshape South Africa’s red meat industry, Corlia Oberholzer of Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) delivered a clear and pragmatic message: The sector can no longer rely on short-term fixes.
By Marieke Snyman, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
Speaking during the African Farming Agri-Development Imbizo 2026 in Pretoria, she outlined how farmers, feedlots and the broader value chain must adapt to a reality where FMD is not a temporary disruption, but an ongoing challenge requiring coordinated, long-term management.
Foot-and-mouth disease has introduced a level of uncertainty that many in the livestock industry have never faced before. Oberholzer acknowledged this unease upfront, describing the situation as “a little bit dicey and a little bit scary,” particularly given the difficulty of predicting how the disease will evolve.
Yet her message was not one of panic, but of adjustment. “The biggest thing for us to know is that foot-and-mouth is not going away,” she said. “We need to change our mindset to managing this disease and managing it responsibly.”
This shift – from emergency response to long-term management – formed the backbone of her address.
A Unique Role in the Value Chain
Oberholzer began by clarifying RMIS’s position in the industry. Funded through statutory levies collected at abattoirs, the organisation operates across the entire value chain rather than serving a specific membership base.
“We don’t have members; we work with the entire value chain,” she explained, adding that this allows RMIS to implement solutions that benefit the industry as a whole.
This structure is particularly important in a crisis like FMD, where fragmentation can undermine disease control. Historically, different segments – farmers, feedlots and abattoirs – approached issues like traceability independently. RMIS is now working to unify these efforts into a single, integrated system.
Also read: Traceability of livestock is the bridge between South Africa’s renowned quality and global confidence
Traceability as the Foundation
Central to RMIS’s strategy is the development of a national traceability platform. Oberholzer described this as one of the most critical tools in managing FMD and improving transparency across the sector.
The system assigns a unique geo-referenced identification number to every livestock location – farms, feedlots, abattoirs and even veterinary practices. This allows animal movement to be tracked accurately across the country.
“We started by saying we need a unique identifier for each biosecurity zone in the country,” she said.
Importantly, the platform is designed to integrate with existing farm management systems rather than replace them.
“We’re not forcing one universal system. We’re allowing different systems to talk to each other in a standardised language,” she explained.
This approach reduces administrative burden while improving compliance – an essential balance in a sector where time and practicality are critical.
The benefits are already evident. Farmers registered on the platform receive real-time alerts when outbreaks occur within a 30km radius, helping them respond proactively. They can also verify the origin of livestock before purchasing – an increasingly vital step in preventing disease spread.
“If you want to keep your market access, then you need to have a traceability number,” Oberholzer warned.
Also read: Traceability breakthrough: Livestock movement can now be recorded digitally
Strengthening Response Through Coordination
In response to the FMD outbreak, RMIS established an operational centre staffed by veterinarians and biosecurity personnel. This hub provides farmers with practical support, from tracking test results to advising on suspected cases.
The organisation has also prioritised accurate, verified communication. In an environment flooded with rumours and conflicting information, Oberholzer stressed the importance of reliable updates.
“Misinformation in this crisis is one of the biggest problems,” she said. “If we put communication out, you need to know it’s verified – it’s not a rumour.”
In addition, RMIS has expanded its on-the-ground capacity, training animal health technicians, deploying mobile handling facilities and working to secure vaccination supplies and traceability tags.
Also read: RMIS completes Phase 1 of operational centre to tackle FMD
Research With Real-world Impact
Oberholzer highlighted ongoing research as another key pillar of the response, particularly studies into the persistence of the virus in the “fifth quarter” (by-products of slaughter).
Preliminary findings suggest the risk may be lower than previously thought, opening the door for regulatory changes that could reduce financial losses for farmers and processors.
“All of the research that we do must have practical outcomes,” she said, emphasising that it should lead to improved protocols, regulatory adjustments or direct support for producers.
Also read: FMD | Research on fifth quarter gets green light
A Shifting Industry Landscape
Despite the challenges, Oberholzer pointed to signs of progress. Protocols are being revised to reflect current realities, and international markets are gradually adapting to accept meat produced under managed FMD conditions.
“The new reality is that FMD management has become part of our everyday farming,” she said.
This acceptance marks a turning point: Rather than waiting for the disease to disappear, the industry is learning to operate alongside it.
Practical Tips for Farmers
Oberholzer concluded with a set of clear, actionable recommendations for farmers navigating this new environment:
- Prioritise biosecurity: Strengthen on-farm measures and remain vigilant at all times.
- Adopt traceability systems: Participate in industry platforms to maintain market access and improve disease control.
- Implement vaccination plans: Ensure consistent and reliable vaccination practices.
- Keep detailed records: Document vaccinations, dates, product details and service providers – “somewhere, someone is going to ask you for those records.”
- Report symptoms early: Act quickly when suspicious signs appear.
- Rely on verified information: Follow official channels to avoid misinformation.
Her closing message was both sobering and empowering: While FMD may be here to stay, the industry has the tools – and the responsibility – to manage it effectively.
African Farming Agri-Development Imbizo 2026
The African Farming Agri-Development Imbizo 2026 took place on 26 and 27 March at Time Square Hotel in Pretoria. This two-day event brought together more than 200 farmers, agribusiness entrepreneurs, policymakers, financiers and industry leaders. The goal was clear: To align resources, unlock opportunities and strengthen partnerships that will accelerate the growth of South Africa’s new generation of commercial farmers.
Hosted by African Farming, the Imbizo builds on a strong commitment to advancing black commercial agriculture through information-sharing, networking and development-driven platforms.
Powered by: AFGRI | Ford | Standard Bank – South Africa | RMIS – Red Meat Industry Services | Afrivet | Shell | Vaal University of Technology | Pannar Seed
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