“It’s Now or Never”
Red Meat Industry Demands Urgent Action at FMD Indaba21 July 2025, Pretoria
Addressing the FMD Indaba today, Dewald Olivier, CEO of Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), called time on the status quo – declaring that South Africa’s current biosecurity and disease control systems are unsustainable, actively undermining the red meat industry, and ultimately threatening the country’s food security.
Speaking on behalf of the red meat value chain, Olivier advocated for the urgent replacement of outdated frameworks with a science-based, globally credible system – expressing his hope that this Indaba marks the turning point.
“Our gathering here is a shared acknowledgment that we can no longer rely on the way things have always been done,” said Olivier. “It’s not just unsustainable, it’s damaging our industry.” Olivier put forward a proposed Strategic Plan developed by RMIS in collaboration with industry stakeholders*: a phased, implementable framework that includes restoring veterinary capacity, diversifying vaccine production, strengthening traceability through a national Animal ID system, and enabling regional zoning choices around FMD vaccination. The plan is inclusive of all livestock sectors and designed to align with international standards, including those of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
He welcomed the Minister’s support for regionalisation, vaccine co-financing, and infrastructure investment, while urging the immediate formation of a joint government–industry delegation to consolidate the Indaba’s outcomes and produce a credible, funded, and time-bound action plan.
“This delegation cannot be symbolic. It must be empowered, accountable, and deliver within days – not years.”
In a firm commitment to collaborative partnership with government, Olivier confirmed that the industry stands ready to co-finance vaccine procurement, invest in traceability infrastructure, support data platforms, and contribute to building veterinary capacity.
Ending with a message of unity and resolve, he added:“This Indaba cannot be just another roundtable. It must be the start of something real, a united path forward that brings clarity, stability, and hope to every part of our industry. Let us build- together – a new foundation for biosecurity, trade, and lasting prosperity. Not just for every role player, but above all, for South Africa.”
* Industry stakeholders include: RPO, SAFA, RMAA, MPO, MilkSA, Nalfa-SA, SAFLA/APAC, AgriSA, GrainSA, WRSA, NWGA, Cape Wools, Mohair SA, RuVASA, AFASA, SAVA Wildlife Group, SAPPO, TLU, LRF, Stamboek and Kwanalu.
Dewald Olivier, RMIS CEO’s Address at the FMD Indaba
Honourable Minister Steenhuisen,
Programme Director,
Veterinary Colleagues,
Industry Partners,
Government Representatives,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning.
Thank you for the opportunity to address you today on behalf of the red meat value chain, represented by RMIS.
Our gathering here is a shared acknowledgment that we can no longer rely on the way things have always been done. It’s not just unsustainable – it’s damaging our industry. It is my sincere hope that this Indaba will be the turning point. As the Minister rightly said, we are being held hostage by a broken system. But we are also united by a shared opportunity – to reset, realign, and rebuild a system that protects our national herd, secures our market access, and upholds the dignity of every farmer, large or small, in every corner of our country.
A Shared Acceptance of Reality
Before we can act, we must face some hard truths:
- We are in a crisis.
- South Africa has lost its FMD-free status, and vaccination must now become a key part of our strategy – not just as a short-term measure, but as a long-term solution.
- FMD threatens more than just exports – it puts our food security and the sustainability of our producers at risk.
- Government veterinary services, though dedicated, do not have the capacity or resources to manage this crisis alone.
- And the industry cannot afford another round of reactive, fragmented responses that damage both trust and trade.
We can no longer rely on outdated frameworks and under-resourced systems to deal with cross-border disease threats. As the past few years have shown, FMD is not an isolated incident – it is a structural risk. We need a new approach – one that recognises our current constraints, embraces collaborative partnerships, and takes decisive, practical steps to protect both livelihoods and long-term sustainability. Our industry is committed to supporting government efforts – not in opposition, but in partnership. This is not just about protecting a sector – it’s about saving an industry.
Learning from the World: Rethinking Vaccination & Biosecurity
Globally, the direction is clear. Outbreaks of transboundary animal diseases – including FMD, Avian Influenza, and African Swine Fever – are driving countries to rethink how they manage disease control. In regions like Latin America, Europe, and Asia, vaccination is no longer viewed as a last resort. It’s now an essential part of a risk-based, zoned biosecurity strategy. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) is responding accordingly. Many countries have adopted compartmentalised vaccination protocols, supported by traceability and surveillance, to maintain trade and ensure stable production – without compromising standards. If South Africa wants to remain globally competitive, we must stop treating vaccination as a risk and start building a system around it – one that is science-based, legally sound, and trusted by our trade partners.
A Blueprint for Structural Reform
Minister, we commend your call for regionalisation, co-financing of vaccines, and investment in infrastructure. These steps are essential.
But on their own, they are not enough. That’s why RMIS, together with industry stakeholders, have put forward a proposed Strategic Plan – a clear, phased pathway to rebuild South Africa’s disease control system. Industry stakeholders include: RPO, SAFA, RMAA, MPO, MilkSA, Nalfa-SA, SAFLA/APAC, AgriSA, GrainSA, WRSA, NWGA, Cape Wools, Mohair SA, RuVASA, AFASA, SAVA Wildlife Group, SAPPO, TLU, LRF, Stamboek and Kwanalu.
This plan envisions a South Africa where:
- Veterinary capacity is restored and strengthened through collaborative partnerships;
- Vaccine production is reliable and diverse, supported by both OBP and private sector partners;
- Traceability and movement control are enforced through a modern Animal ID and permit system;
- Compartmentalisation and zoning enable market differentiation and maintain export continuity;
- And real-time data, diagnostics, certification, and auditing form the backbone of outbreak management and compliance.
Importantly, this plan is not limited to a single species. It is inclusive – covering beef, dairy, pork, sheep, and goats.
This is not a theoretical exercise. It is a practical, implementable system with a clear vision, defined roles and responsibilities, and a long-term goal ultimately aligning with WOAH standards and the expectations of our trade partners.
From Concept to Action
Minister, we fully support your call for a joint government–industry delegation to take this process forward. But this cannot be a symbolic structure. It must be empowered, accountable, and operate within clear timeframes.
This delegation must:
- Consolidate today’s recommendations;
- Align them with current legal and operational frameworks;
- And deliver – within days – a credible, funded, and actionable plan, not one that takes years to materialise.
Let us also be clear: while government must lead on regulatory reform, the industry will not remain on the sidelines. We are ready to co-finance vaccine procurement, invest in traceability infrastructure, support data platforms, and contribute to strengthening veterinary capacity through collaborative partnerships.
A Turning Point, Not a Talk Shop
Colleagues, this Indaba cannot be just another meeting. It must be the start of something real – a united path forward that brings clarity, stability, and hope to every part of our industry.
A proposed phased plan is ready:
- Immediate and Short-term interventions to stabilise the crisis;
- A medium-term framework to build capacity and strengthen systems;
- And a long-term vision to restore South Africa’s status as a credible and trusted supplier of livestock products to the world.
In Closing: Our Commitment
We commit – as an industry – to:
- Work in full collaboration with government;
- Put shared outcomes ahead of individual interests;
- Bring funding, systems, and practical solutions to the table;
- And above all, act with the urgency that this moment demands.
Minister, thank you for your leadership.
Now, let us build – together – a new foundation for biosecurity, trade, and lasting prosperity. Not just for every role player in our industry, but above all, for South Africa.
Thank you.
