Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) has appointed Commandant Jan J. Nel as a Biosecurity Marshal—an independent role authorised under the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act 35 of 1984) by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD).
Animal disease outbreaks, such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), pose a significant threat to the South African livestock industry. In response, RMIS and the Directorate: Animal Health, is taking proactive steps to enhance disease monitoring, enforce compliance, and strengthen biosecurity protocols across the industry. The appointment of Commandant Nel is a vital step in reinforcing biosecurity measures and safeguarding South Africa’s livestock industry against controlled animal diseases.
As part of RMIS’s 2025 strategic initiatives, the newly appointed Biosecurity Marshal will:

• Investigate epidemiologically linked locations, animals, and businesses suspected of disease involvement.
• Monitor compliance with biosecurity measures at farms, auctions, transport points, abattoirs, and roadblocks.
• Enforce movement restrictions of cloven-hoofed animals and conduct inspections.
• Collect data and compile reports on disease control infractions, working closely with the
• National Prosecuting Authority on legal actions where necessary.
• Liaise with state veterinarians and industry stakeholders to ensure disease control effectiveness.

This initiative aligns with RMIS’s 2025 Project Portfolio, aimed at enhancing traceability, market access, and disease prevention within South Africa’s red meat sector. By deploying biosecurity marshals, RMIS is reinforcing the industry’s resilience, improving trade confidence, and ensuring livestock health and welfare.
“After 37 years of dedicated service in government agriculture, particularly in veterinary services and law enforcement, I am proud to continue my commitment to South Africa’s livestock producers through RMIS,” said Commandant Jan J. Nel. “Strengthening biosecurity and enforcing compliance and traceability at all levels of the value chain is critical to protecting our industry.”
“Our focus remains on building a sustainable and globally competitive red meat industry,” said Dewald Olivier, CEO of RMIS. “The introduction of Biosecurity Marshals will strengthen our disease response framework, ensuring that South African red meat producers operate in a safe and compliant environment.”