Frequently Asked Questions

Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) is an industry service organisation supporting the South African red meat value chain. RMIS is mandated to administer the statutory levy on red meat and represents the red meat primary value chain from farm to abattoir. Our work spans across areas such as animal health, traceability, inclusive growth, market access, research, competitiveness and sustainability.

RMIS stands for Red Meat Industry Services. The organisation was established to provide practical services, trusted data, industry coordination and digital solutions to support South Africa’s red meat value chain.

RMIS represents the red meat primary value chain of South Africa from farm to abattoir and provides services intended to strengthen the entire red meat industry. Our work includes traceability, animal health support, industry development, research, market access and implementation of the Red Meat Industry Strategy 2030.

RMIS is a not-for-profit industry organisation rather than a government entity. We operate at the intersection between government, producers and other industry bodies on issues affecting the South African red meat industry.

RMIS is responsible for supporting the entire red meat value chain, including:

• Commercial farmers
• Emerging farmers
• Stud farmers
• Feedlots
• Abattoirs
• Other participants in the livestock and meat sectors

Its goal is to create practical solutions that benefit the entire sector

No. RMIS is not a membership organisation but rather a service-driven, non-profit organisation that works on behalf of the entire South African red meat value chain. Its programmes and services are designed to benefit producers, feedlots, abattoirs, veterinarians, researchers and other industry stakeholders, regardless of whether they belong to a commodity organisation.

Yes. While RMIS does not have members, industry stakeholders can participate in and benefit from various RMIS initiatives, including traceability, research programmes, training opportunities, disease information services, industry communication platforms and other industry-wide projects.

RMIS supports the industry by coordinating practical programmes and services focused on building a resilient and sustainable industry for the future. Created to help the industry work together more effectively, our role is to improve coordination, reduce duplication, provide trusted information and implement industry programmes that strengthen long-term growth.

You can contact RMIS by emailing info@rmis.co.za or phoning 087 804 1701. You can also use the contact details provided on the official RMIS website.

As the assigned administrator of the Red Meat Statutory Levy, RMIS is primarily funded through levy income collected on cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered in the formal market. These funds are used to deliver industry-wide programmes and services that support the growth, sustainability and competitiveness of South Africa’s red meat value chain. In addition to administering levy funds, RMIS actively leverages external funding, strategic partnerships and co-investment opportunities to expand the reach and impact of industry projects and deliver greater value to the sector.

The Red Meat Statutory Levy is a legally mandated industry levy established under the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act, 1996 (Act No. 47 of 1996). The levy applies to cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered in registered abattoirs and is paid by the owner of the animal at the time of slaughter. Overseen by the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) and administered by RMIS, the Red Meat Statutory Levy allows the industry to fund shared priorities and industry-wide services that benefit the entire value chain.

As provided for in the Government Gazette published in 2022, the Red Meat Statutory Levy is paid by the owner of the animal at the time of slaughter in the formal market. The levy applies to cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered in registered abattoirs

The levy applies to cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered in registered abattoirs operating within South Africa’s formal market

Levy funds are invested in projects and services that support the goals of the Red Meat Industry Strategy 2030. These include initiatives focused on animal health, traceability, market access, inclusive growth, research, industry coordination and long-term sustainability. RMIS publishes operational reports that provide transparency on how levy funds are allocated which can be read at: https://rmis.co.za/operational-reports/

Yes. Red Meat Statutory Levy funds are ring-fenced and subject to independent annual audits to ensure transparency, accountability and compliance with the approved use of levy funds. RMIS also submits financial reports to the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), and levy-funded projects are monitored through governance, reporting and oversight processes to ensure funds are used for the benefit of the South African red meat industry.

For invoice and levy payment queries, please contact Agricultural Levy Services (ALS), which is responsible for levy collection and administration. You can reach Carolien Viviers at ALS via Carolien@agrilevy.co.za or 012 348 7572.

The Red Meat Industry Strategy 2030 is the long-term growth and development plan for South Africa’s red meat industry. It provides a shared vision and strategic direction for the sector, focusing on Animal and Public Health, Inclusive Growth, Market Access, and Competitiveness and Sustainability. RMIS supports the implementation of the strategy through practical programmes, services and industry-wide initiatives that help turn strategic goals into measurable outcomes. To learn more, read the full strategy on our Strategy Page https://rmis.co.za/our-strategy/

The strategy focuses on four key pillars:

• Animal and Public Health
• Inclusive Growth
• Market Access
• Competitiveness and Sustainability

The Red Meat Industry Strategy 2030 was developed to provide a shared vision and coordinated framework for addressing the major challenges and opportunities facing South Africa’s red meat value chain. It was designed to bring the sector together around common priorities, reduce fragmentation, improve collaboration and create a clear roadmap for sustainable growth, competitiveness and long-term industry success. Through a unified approach, the strategy helps align industry efforts, resources and investments towards achieving meaningful and measurable outcomes

Livestock traceability is the ability to track animal movement throughout the red meat value chain, from their place of origin to their final destination. A traceability system network creates a verified record of where animals have been and how they move between farms, auctions, feedlots, abattoirs and other locations.

Livestock traceability helps protect animal health, strengthen biosecurity, improve disease outbreak response, support food safety, combat stock theft and provide greater transparency across the value chain. It also helps South Africa meet local and international market requirements, strengthens buyer confidence and supports access to premium export markets.

The RMIS Traceability Platform is the national data exchange platform that connects farms, auctions, feedlots, abattoirs and other role players into one traceability network.

The RMIS Traceability Platform uses Global Location Numbers (GLNs) to uniquely identify and verify locations across the red meat value chain. Each registered location, such as a farm, feedlot, auction, abattoir or veterinary practice, receives a GLN and is linked to a digital geo-fence. The platform then integrates with various livestock management systems already used within the industry, allowing traceability information to be exchanged as animals move from one registered location to another.

For example, a farmer records the movement of animals from their farm’s GLN to an auction’s GLN using their chosen livestock management system. When the animals move from the auction to a feedlot, and later to an abattoir, those movements are also recorded and shared through the platform. This creates a trusted digital record of where the animals have been throughout the value chain.

A list of integrated livestock management systems can be found on our Traceability Page.

Anyone who owns livestock or participates in the South African red meat value chain can register for RMIS Traceability. This includes

• emerging farmers on communal land
• commercial farmers
• stud breeders
• auctions, feedlots
• abattoirs, meat processors
• veterinarians
• Dairy farmers
• Pig farmers

Registering enables participants to be uniquely identified within the traceability network.

A Global Location Number (GLN) is a globally recognised identification number used by GS1, the organisation responsible for the barcode standards used on most products worldwide. A GLN uniquely identifies locations such as farms, auctions, feedlots, abattoirs and veterinary practices, allowing them to be accurately verified and linked to traceability records. GLNs are the foundation for the RMIS Traceability Platform.

Registering for a GLN is a simple process that can be completed on the RMIS Traceability Platform:

1. Visit the RMIS website and click on any of the Traceability Platform buttons.
2. Create an account using your cellphone number and verify it with a one-time PIN.
3. Identify your location on the map by selecting the geo-fence (boundaries) of your farm or production unit.
4. Complete the registration form by providing details such as the farm name, ownership or rental information, commodities and contact details.
5. Accept the terms and conditions and submit your registration. You will receive a WhatsApp confirmation that your application has been received.
6. After verification, which typically takes one working day, you will receive a temporary RMIS certificate containing your GLN. Your official GS1 certificate is then issued and sent via WhatsApp, usually within five working days.

You can start the registration process on the RMIS Traceability Platform. The platform uses mapped farm portions and location verification to ensure that each GLN is linked to a unique, verified location within the red meat value chain.

The online registration process only takes a few minutes to complete. Once your application has been submitted, it is typically verified within one working day, after which you will receive a temporary RMIS certificate containing your GLN via WhatsApp. Your official GS1 certificate is then issued and sent via WhatsApp, usually within five working days of successful verification.

When registering for a GLN on the RMIS Traceability Platform, you will typically need to provide:

• Your cellphone number for account creation and verification.
• The location of your production unit on the map.
• The name of the farm or production unit.
• Whether you own or rent the property.
• The commodities or livestock you farm with.
• Your contact details and any additional persons that you would like to add for communication purposes.
• Confirmation that you accept the platform’s terms and conditions.

No. There is no cost to register on the RMIS Traceability Platform, obtain a GLN, or participate in the platform. The industry built the platform for the industry, and there are no registration or participation fees.

The livestock management software you choose to use may have its own subscription or usage costs, depending on the provider. This is why RMIS integrates with multiple livestock management systems, creating competition, giving producers a choice of suppliers, and avoiding reliance on a single provider.

If you do not want to use a commercial livestock management system, you can use the free RMIS Mobile App to record livestock movements and participate in traceability at no cost.

Yes. If you have lost your traceability certificate, you can log in to your RMIS Traceability Platform profile and download it again. If you are unable to access your profile or need assistance, you can contact RMIS for support in retrieving your certificate. Your GLN remains linked to your registered production unit and does not change if you lose the certificate.

Yes. RMIS Traceability was designed to be inclusive of everyone participating in the red meat value chain, including farmers operating on communal land. Community members can share a GLN where they share the same production unit and livestock movement origin. This ensures that livestock movements can still be recorded and traced, even where multiple livestock owners use the same communal area. RMIS also provides a free mobile application that enables emerging and communal farmers to record livestock movements and participate in the traceability network.

No. The RMIS Traceability Platform is intended to create a broader traceability ecosystem. Existing livestock management software systems integrate and connect or exchange relevant information with the RMIS platform rather than requiring producers to abandon systems they already use.

This means participants can continue using their preferred livestock management software to capture information, reducing the need for double capturing. A full list of integrated systems can be viewed on our Integrated Systems Page.

To connect a livestock management system to the RMIS Traceability Platform, users need to generate a Traceability Token from their RMIS profile and link it to their chosen software. Once the connection has been established, data is synchronised automatically whenever a livestock movement is recorded.

For participants who do not currently use a livestock management system, RMIS also provides a free mobile application that can be used to capture livestock movements and participate in traceability.

No. Your production data remains on your chosen livestock management system and is not owned by RMIS. The RMIS Traceability Platform facilitates the exchange of relevant traceability information between participating systems to enable livestock movements to be verified across the value chain. Only the information required for movement traceability is shared.

When animals move between registered locations, such as from a farm to an auction, feedlot or abattoir, the movement is recorded using either an integrated livestock management system or the RMIS mobile application. The movement information is then shared through the RMIS Traceability Platform, allowing both the sending and receiving locations to verify the transaction. This creates a trusted digital record of livestock movements across the value chain.

No. The RMIS Traceability Platform is built on a choice-based model, not a single-supplier model. Farmers and other industry participants can choose from multiple approved livestock management systems and traceability tag suppliers. Existing livestock management systems integrate with the RMIS Traceability Platform, allowing users to continue working on their preferred software rather than being forced to adopt a specific system. This approach supports flexibility, competition and user choice while enabling traceability data to move across the value chain.

Yes. Buyers can request the seller’s Global Location Number (GLN) and use it to verify the registered origin of the livestock on the RMIS Traceability Platform. The platform includes a search function where users can enter a GLN to confirm that the production unit is registered and verified. This helps improve transparency, traceability and confidence when buying livestock. You can access the GLN search function on the RMIS Traceability Platform

RMIS Traceability supports Visual Identification (VID) tags, Electronic Identification (EID) low-frequency tags, and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) tags. The most important requirement is that animals are uniquely identified using a standardised, ICAR-compliant 15-digit identification number, either printed on the tag or embedded within the electronic tag.

RMIS does not sell tags. Producers can purchase approved traceability tags from any of the approved suppliers listed on the RMIS website. Approved traceability tag suppliers can be viewed on the RMIS Traceability Tag Suppliers page.

No. RMIS does not sell traceability tags. Producers can purchase approved tags from a range of approved tag suppliers, giving them the flexibility to choose the supplier that best suits their needs. RMIS supports a choice-based model and works with multiple suppliers to ensure competition and availability across the industry. Approved suppliers and their contact details can be viewed on the RMIS Traceability Tag Suppliers page

All tags used for traceability should carry a unique, ICAR-compliant 15-digit identification number to support national traceability.

If you are not currently using a livestock management system, you can use the free RMIS Mobile App to record livestock movements and participate in the RMIS Traceability Platform. The app is available for both Android and Apple devices:

• Download for Android (Google Play Store)
• Download for iPhone (Apple App Store)

The app provides a simple way for farmers to capture traceability information without the need for additional software.

The RMIS Mobile App is a free livestock traceability app that allows farmers and livestock owners to record and receive animal movements digitally, participate in the RMIS Traceability Platform, and maintain traceability records directly from their mobile phone. The app also includes an FMD vaccination module, allowing users to record Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccinations on individual animals and export or share vaccination records via WhatsApp when needed.

The RMIS Mobile App is available free of charge for both Android and Apple devices:

• Android: Download the RMIS App from Google Play
• Apple iPhone: Download the RMIS App from the App Store

The app provides a simple and accessible way for commercial, emerging and communal farmers to participate in livestock traceability, capture animal movements and maintain digital livestock records.

Field to Future is RMIS’s industry-led research and innovation process that turns real challenges and opportunities from the red meat value chain into practical research, technology and development projects. Rather than deciding research priorities from the top down, the process starts with input from farmers, veterinarians, researchers, processors and other industry stakeholders who identify the issues that matter most to them. These needs are gathered in live sessions open to anyone to join, then evaluated, prioritised and translated into projects that support the goals of the Red Meat Industry Strategy 2030 and deliver practical benefits to the industry.

RMIS supports research and development focused on practical challenges and opportunities across the South African red meat value chain. Research priorities are identified through the Field to Future process, giving producers, industry stakeholders and the public an opportunity to help guide research priorities and ensure that projects address real industry needs and deliver practical industry value. This includes areas such as animal health, biosecurity, traceability, market access, meat safety, production systems, sustainability, inclusive growth and industry competitiveness.

Researchers together with the general public can attend the Field to Future sessions where industry challenges and needs are identified and discussed. Following these sessions a call for research proposals are released based on the topics identified and researchers has the opportunity to submit their applications. All information with regards to these sessions are communicated on our website and social media channels.

All research funded through the Red Meat Statutory Levy is made publicly available in the RMIS Research Library. The library contains completed research reports, publications and industry research outputs that can be viewed and downloaded free of charge.

Browse the RMIS Research Library

RMIS provides access to a range of industry data, dashboards and reports designed to make red meat industry information more transparent and accessible. Through the RMIS website, users can access:

• Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak and vaccine data: View FMD Dashboard
• Slaughter statistics: View Slaughter Statistics
• Red meat prices: View Price Dashboard
• Imports and exports: View Trade Dashboard
• Disease surveillance and reporting: View Animal Disease Information

These dashboards provide industry stakeholders with trusted data and insights to support decision-making, planning and risk management across the red meat value chain.

In addition, RMIS publishes several industry reports, including:

• Livestock Industry Report: View Report
• RMIS Operational Reports: View Reports
• Monthly Disease Reports: View Reports
• AMT Market Trend Report: View Report

All of these resources are available through the RMIS website and are intended to provide producers, veterinarians, researchers, processors and other stakeholders with access to relevant industry information and market intelligence

The RMIS Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Dashboard provides access to FMD outbreak and vaccine-related information to help industry stakeholders stay informed and make evidence-based decisions. The dashboard includes:

• Filters by FMD serotype, vaccine manufacturer and sector that received vaccines.
• Confirmed FMD cases as reported to WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health).
• Reported FMD cases by province.
• An interactive map showing outbreak locations and vaccine distribution locations.
• Vaccine distribution data by province.
• Vaccine distribution breakdowns by province and municipality.
• Vaccine distribution breakdowns by vaccine supplier.

The dashboard is updated as new information becomes available and serves as a central source of verified FMD information for the South African red meat industry.

View the FMD Dashboard: RMIS Foot-and-Mouth Disease Dashboard

The Livestock Industry Report is a comprehensive industry report published by RMIS that provides insights into the performance, trends and outlook of South Africa’s livestock and red meat sector. The report includes information on livestock production, slaughter statistics, prices, imports and exports, animal health developments, market trends and other key industry indicators to support informed decision-making across the value chain.

The report is updated regularly and is available free of charge on the RMIS website.

View the Livestock Industry Report: Livestock Industry Report

The RMIS Operational Report provides a transparent overview of RMIS activities, projects, expenditure and progress against strategic objectives. Published quarterly and annually, these reports outline how statutory levy funds and other resources are being used, project milestones achieved, key industry interventions, and progress across RMIS’s strategic focus areas of Animal and Public Health, Market Access, Inclusive Growth, and Competitiveness and Sustainability.

The reports are designed to keep industry stakeholders informed about RMIS performance, project implementation and industry impact.

View RMIS Operational Reports: RMIS Operational Reports

The RMIS Disease Report is a monthly report that provides an overview of animal disease trends and surveillance data across South Africa. The report includes information on disease occurrences, emerging animal health risks, regional disease trends and veterinary insights to help producers, veterinarians and industry stakeholders make informed animal health and biosecurity decisions.

The report forms part of RMIS’s commitment to making animal health information accessible and supports improved disease awareness, surveillance and risk management across the red meat value chain.

View the Monthly Disease Reports: Monthly Disease Reports