SA red meat industry celebrates regaining FMD-free status

South Africa’s multi-billion rand red meat industry is ecstatic at news that the country has had its foot-and-mouth disease-free status reinstated.

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The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reportedly notified the SA government of this on 14 February 2014.

SA lost its right to export cloven-hoofed animals and their products in January 2011 after FMD antibodies were discovered in communally-farmed livestock along KwaZulu-Natal’s border with Mozambique.

The Red Meat Producer’s Organisation (RPO) said the ban lost SA’s red meat industry R4 billion annually in revenue.

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The RPO, Red Meat Industry Forum, National Wool Growers’ Organisation and other organisation expressed their gratitude to the department of agriculture for its efforts to regain SA’s FMD-free status