The red meat sector of South Africa is a big industry. Nearly 21.4% of the meat produced in Africa comes from South Africa. Approximately 1% of the world’s total meat production is sourced from South Africa. After 2014, there has been an increase in the export sector of red meat. When the International Animal Health Organization stated South African meat is free of foot-and-mouth disease, the meat producing industry started making huge profits. OIE’s declaration gave South Africa the opportunity to earn its place in many export markets such as Jordan, the UAE, and Vietnam. From calves for sale to full-grown cows – South Africa started exporting different kinds of meat.

After 2019, things started going downhill for the red meat industry as South Africa lost its status of being an FMD-free place. The consequences have been devastating on the meat industry. So, each year the production of beef is declining.

Steps govt. bodies and meat farmers in South Africa can take to control FMD

There are some crucial steps to be taken by the government of South Africa to prevent the spreading of FMD. The most important measure is to slaughter all positive cases so that healthy ones don’t get affected. Removing the affected animals is not enough. In order to ensure animals don’t get affected by various diseases, vaccination is of utmost significance. Preventive vaccination programmes should be initiated, especially in areas affected by FMD. The government should strictly monitor that the farmers involved with beef farming in south Africa abide by the rules and guidelines associated with cattle rearing.

In addition, the meet farmers need to invest in appropriate infrastructure and build a well-functioning marketing system for commercialization. Many farmers are also battling a variety of diseases. They fail to provide their cattle the necessary food and vaccination due to economic hardships. With a little bit of help, they can get rid of such problems and minimize their losses as well as ensure the cattle is of premium quality. Compliance to control measures will be possible only when the private sector, the State, and the cattle owners work unitedly for the benefit of all.

The bottom line

In conclusion, there is no denying that the meat sector is one of the fastest growing components of the farming industry. A large sum of the agricultural economy depends on the meat market. That’s because meat is a great source of protein and various vital nutrients. So, quality meat is always in demand all over the world. So, there is scope for improvement for the South African meat industry. By keeping FMD at bay, South Africa will be able to emerge as one of the most reliable international meat industries, exporting high-quality meat to many nations.