Photo: Octavia Avesca Spandiel
The Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) activated a centralised Operational Centre (OC) at its headquarters in Pretoria, Gauteng on 9 June in response to the ongoing outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) across several provinces in South Africa.
According to a statement by RMIS, the OC was tasked with overseeing a coordinated industry response to manage and contain the outbreak, with a designated RMIS veterinarian leading a team of veterinary professionals, industry representatives, and public affairs specialists.
According to the statement, Dewald Olivier, CEO of RMIS, said: “This is a defining moment for the red meat industry. RMIS was established precisely for a time like this to provide coordinated leadership, technical expertise, and practical solutions in close collaboration with government and industry partners. Our unified efforts today will shape a more secure, sustainable, and competitive future for the industry.”
Structured plan to guide industry and safeguard livelihoods
The statement further said that the OC’s first mandate was to develop and implement a time-bound response plan to address the immediate risks posed by the FMD outbreak. The medium- and long-term strategies aimed to prioritise vaccination, establish FMD-free compartments for livestock supplying abattoirs, and expand veterinary capacity.
“This outbreak impacts the entire red meat value chain and poses a serious threat to the dairy industry and related sectors. Protecting the red meat role players is not only vital for our industry, but for the broader agricultural economy of South Africa,” said the statement.
RPO reiterates the importance of government collaboration
Prof Frikkie Maré, Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO) CEO, told Farmer’s Weekly that FMD remained a state-controlled disease and that collaboration with government was essential for any effective response.
“FMD is a state-controlled disease and not the RPO or any other organisation may get involved without the permission of the state. So far, our main role was collaborating with government to propose solutions on what is needed,” he said.
He confirmed that the RMIS, of which the RPO is a founding member, was establishing the OC to assist government through a public-private partnership.
“The main expectation is to improve the relationship between industry and government in terms of FMD, to get to a long-term solution for the disease. Some things that should be done immediately are the production of our own vaccine, individual identification of animals to track movement, centralised FMD communication, and the introduction of electronic movement permits,” he said.
Taking action
Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen told Farmer’s Weekly that the Department of Agriculture was taking decisive action to address the outbreak.
“The department is aware of the anxiety surrounding foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in a number of provinces. All infected properties have been placed under quarantine and no movement is allowed into, out of, or through those areas,” he said.
He further said that large areas where individual notices could not be served were declared disease management zones, with the same restrictions being applied.
Steenhuisen said the department had allocated over R70 million for FMD vaccines, equating to 900 000 doses, with vaccination scheduled to begin as early as next week.
“All vaccinated animals will be marked with an ‘F’ brand on the neck. The campaign will be carried out under the supervision of provincial and state vets, along with industry veterinarians,” he said.
No risk to meat supply or consumer health
Addressing public concern, Steenhuisen clarified that there was no imminent risk of meat shortages or food safety issues.
“Despite some feedlots being affected, there are many unaffected facilities across the country supplying meat to the market. Foot-and-mouth disease does not kill animals, so we’re not expecting mass mortalities. It is absolutely safe for consumers to eat red meat in South Africa,” he said.
According to Steenhuisen, FMD only affected cloven-hoofed animals and posed no risk to humans. The department would continue working with stakeholders to contain the outbreak and restore South Africa’s export capabilities.
“It is very important that we get foot-and-mouth disease under control in South Africa. The Department of Agriculture is committed to action that ensures our excellent quality meat reaches both local and international markets,” he said.
