Disease comes knocking when the chain breaks

Biosecurity in feed management is a crucial aspect of disease prevention. Bonita Cilliers, technical and regulatory adviser of the Animal Feed Manufacturers' Association, spoke to Nichelle Steyn.

- By Nichelle Steyn

With the global threat of emerging infectious diseases and the need for sustainable production practices, the importance of biosecurity continues to grow. Biosecurity acts as a safeguard for food security. When the link between it and food are broken, it can have a devastating impact on the agricultural sector and cause real harm to consumers. Strengthening biosecurity on various levels should be a priority, especially when it comes to feed management.

"If biosecurity in feed management is bypassed, it can become a direct pathway for viruses, bacteria, toxins and other hazards to spread. The result? Sick animals, reduced production, financial losses and even blocked market access," she says.

During the recent 2025 Avi Africa Conference, veterinary consultant Dr Scott Elliott summed it up perfectly: "Disease doesn't knock before it arrives." All it takes is one contaminated ingredient, a dirty truck, or a few bird droppings in an open feed bin to trigger an outbreak.

Globally, feed has been linked to serious events; just think of the various tragedies that played out over the decades. In the 1980s to 1990s we saw the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease) outbreak in the UK. It spread via cattle feed containing meat-and-bone meal, affecting both cattle and people.

In 2008, the pork crisis in Ireland was caused by dioxin-contaminated feed which led to nationwide recalls and trade disruptions. And as recent as this year, avian influenza in pet food in the United States made cats and dogs ill.

Cilliers further makes her point: "Here at home in South Africa, we face a long list of high-risk diseases like:

• African swine fever (ASF): the virus can survive in certain feed ingredients or on contaminated equipment.

• Avian influenza (HPAI): feed can become contaminated by wild bird droppings in open silos or during storage.

• Salmonella: often linked to poultry when feed or ingredients are poorly handled.