The Transvaal Agricultural Union of South Africa (TLU SA) and the Red Meat Producers Organisation (RPO) have jointly raised alarm over the escalating economic impact of ongoing Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks on commercial livestock producers.
Producers Struggling Under Prolonged Movement Bans
Bennie van Zyl, General Manager of TLU SA, states that farmers are under severe financial pressure due to movement restrictions. “They cannot take their animals to auctions, feedlots, or abattoirs, which directly impacts their cash flow needed for essentials like food, electricity, and wages,” he explains. While the need for biosecurity is understood, the lack of alternative marketing channels is crippling. “We are economically destroying farmers,” Van Zyl adds.
Government’s Role in Crisis Response
Dr Frikkie Maré, CEO of the RPO, highlights that FMD is a state-controlled disease. “The industry can only offer support and recommendations, but the government bears responsibility not only for disease control but also for the impact on affected businesses and individuals,” he says.
State Neglect, Forcing Farmers to Self-Regulate
Both organisations point to the state’s failure to enforce its legal obligations, such as monitoring livestock movement in affected areas. Farmers have been left to manage this themselves using privately funded camera systems, while the government remains absent.
Urgent Call for a Disaster Management Plan
At the recent NAMPO Harvest Day, Van Zyl, in consultation with Maré, discussed the crisis with Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen. They appealed for a disaster management programme to help producers stay operational and meet their financial commitments.
Market Access and Practical Solutions Needed
The organisations are urging the government to fast-track a process that would allow low-risk farms with proper biosecurity to regain market access. They also call for classification of abattoirs within the control zones to enable continued slaughtering of FMD-affected animals.
A Final Plea for Decisive Action
TLU SA and the RPO warn that without immediate intervention, the sustainability of farming—and with it, food production and rural jobs—is at risk. They urge the state to act decisively to avoid lasting damage to the agricultural value chain.