China suspends meat imports from South Africa amid Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak

SOUTH AFRICA – China has halted imports of beef and related animal products from South Africa due to the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in parts of the country.

The suspension, which takes effect immediately, includes all products from cloven-hoofed animals, according to a notice from Chinese authorities.

South African officials confirmed the outbreak has extended beyond KwaZulu-Natal, with new infections detected in Mpumalanga and Gauteng provinces.

A farm in Mpumalanga, traced through a follow-up on infected livestock sold at an auction in Utrecht, KwaZulu-Natal, tested positive after the virus was found in nearby enclosures despite the absence of visible symptoms in the animals.

Separately, a feedlot in Gauteng that acquired livestock from an auction in Heidelberg has also returned positive results in laboratory tests for FMD.

Dr. Mpho Maja, Director of Animal Health at the Department of Agriculture, said the incident underscores the risk of mixing newly purchased animals with existing herds and stressed that a 28-day separation period remains mandatory under current regulations.

This quarantine period has been a legal requirement since October 2022 to prevent the possible spread of infections within farms.

In response to the escalating situation, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has assigned the Deputy Director-General’s office to oversee intensified disease control operations.

These efforts include meetings with Veterinary Services and stakeholders in the livestock industry to improve disease monitoring, livestock movement tracking, and auction procedures.

The Chinese ban poses a significant blow to the South African red meat sector, as China is the country’s top export destination for beef by volume.

The Red Meat Producers Organisation (RPO) has expressed concern about the financial toll of the ban, pointing out that it also applies to other cloven-hoofed animal products beyond beef.

To curb further transmission, the Agriculture Department has advised all farmers to restrict animal transport and closely follow biosecurity protocols.

Auction houses and livestock traders are being urged to verify the health status of animals, particularly those sourced from provinces currently dealing with FMD cases.

No livestock should be brought in from restricted zones in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, or the Eastern Cape, according to the department’s guidance.

Dr. Maja reminded animal owners of their duties under Section 11 of the Animal Diseases Act, which requires them to take reasonable steps to stop the spread of disease.

The department is continuing to inspect farms and conduct diagnostic tests in the affected regions to manage the situation.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.