PHASA’s revised FMD guidelines are based on recommendations from the Department of Agriculture, existing quarantine regulations, and movement protocols for buffalo and other susceptible species.
The association emphasised that while cattle remain the primary route for FMD transmission in South Africa, hunters, landowners, and wildlife professionals all have a role to play in preventing the disease from being spread by people, vehicles, equipment, and hunting trophies.
Explaining the rationale behind the guidelines, PHASA CEO Jess de Klerk told Farmer’s Weekly that the association decided to develop specific best-practice guidelines for hunters and trophy handling because the FMD outbreak mostly affected the red meat industry, cattle, and pigs.
“There was huge concern from agriculture and rural safety organisations. The hunting industry already had protocols and guidelines on how to deal with trophies in FMD areas, and we did not want additional restrictions.”
He added that hunters are encouraged to work closely with landowners, wildlife veterinarians, and state veterinarians to stay informed about quarantine statuses and disease outbreaks through Red Meat Industry Services’ (RMIS) electronic platform.
Guidelines for trophies and animal products
De Klerk said PHASA’s new guidelines permit the movement of trophies, bones, horns, and skins from game animals within or out of FMD quarantine areas, provided specific requirements are met.
According to the guidelines, skins must be salted for at least 28 days or thoroughly dried, while bones, horns, and teeth must be properly cleaned and dried before transport. Trophies and related animal products must be covered with an impermeable plastic sheet during transport, while no restrictions apply to hides, skins, trophies, bones, and horns moving into or through quarantine areas.
PHASA advises hunters to confirm a property’s FMD status and compliance requirements through state veterinary authorities or the RMIS disease reporting system before commencing a hunt.
For hunts outside designated quarantine zones, PHASA recommends a range of biosecurity measures aimed at reducing the risk of spreading FMD between properties. These include confirming a property’s FMD status before hunting; carrying the necessary hunting and transport documentation; disinfecting vehicles, trailers, equipment, and personal protective equipment if they have been in contact with livestock; and sanitising or destroying packaging materials.
The association also recommends slaughtering animals on the property where they are harvested to minimise movement risks and only moving trophies from FMD-affected or suspected areas after completing the required quarantine period, which is typically 28 days.
Staff must be trained to spot signs of FMD
For hunting operations conducted inside FMD quarantine zones, the guidelines state that the movement of trophies from cloven-hoofed game species requires a movement permit for transport within, through, or out of the area.
Before entering a property, vehicles, trailers, footwear, and personnel should be disinfected, with particular attention paid to tyres and vehicle undercarriages. Where possible, hunting vehicles should remain on the property.
The guidelines also recommend that hunting staff be trained to recognise the signs of FMD infection, including mouth sores, excessive salivation, blisters on the feet, lameness, and a decline in body condition. Animals displaying symptoms must not be transported, and the relevant state veterinary department should be notified immediately. Skinners and trackers should also be sanitised before entering any property.
Harvested animals should be transported to skinning facilities on tarpaulins and kept enclosed while being moved around the property. Skins, heads, feet, and other body parts not intended for trophy purposes must be disposed of on site and may not leave the property, while bones and horns should be cleaned immediately.
PHASA also recommends washing capes, skins, cleaned skulls, and other trophy parts in a disinfectant salt solution before transport. Skins should then be salted and dried for at least 28 days, while bones, horns, teeth, and feet should be thoroughly cleaned and treated.
According to the guidelines, vehicles, equipment, slaughter facilities, and handling facilities should be disinfected regularly during hunting operations.
PHASA also notes that taxidermists already operate under established trophy-handling protocols and advises facilities to implement biosecurity measures for vehicles and visitors. Where trophies originate from quarantine areas, hunters are encouraged to use taxidermists registered as high-risk facilities or ensure the trophies are first processed through an approved facility before further transport.
Aim of PHASA is to protect wildlife and hunting
According to De Klerk, the most common mistake hunters make is being unaware that FMD is present in the area.
“Apart from that, there are no areas of concern. Buffalo [are susceptible to] FMD, and there are already protocols in place requiring all buffalo to be tested before being moved. Buffalo movement poses a minor risk, whereas the movement of cattle and pigs poses a much greater risk to the game and hunting industry.”
According to PHASA, the guidelines aim to protect South Africa’s wildlife and hunting industries, as well as livestock producers, while maintaining practical and workable procedures.
The association stresses that vigilance, sanitation, and compliance with movement regulations remain the most effective tools for reducing the risk of FMD spreading through hunting-related activities.
