Farmers head to court as foot-and-mouth crisis deepens

South Africa's red meat farmers are heading to court as frustration mounts over what they describe as a "raging" foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak that has had a detrimental effect on livestock production and threatened export markets.

- Liesl Peyper

This is according to Ann-Suhet Marx, director and head of litigation at VDM Incorporated, who said in a statement that she is leading proceedings against the Red Meat and Livestock Primary Cluster (RMPC) and its auditing partner, Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS NPC), on behalf of the Rooivleis Aksie Groep (RAG).

Farmers pay levies earmarked for FMD monitoring and prevention - but are not seeing “meaningful results”, says Marx.

"These levies are set at R14.33 per head of slaughtered cattle ... but the disease continues to spread, market access is collapsing and red meat prices are soaring. The system has failed and they have had enough.”

Marx says the legal challenge centres on:

► The lack of published audited accounts showing how levy funds are used;

► RMPC's “self-appointed authority and questionable national representation”; and

► Proposed new levies for cattle traceability despite prior commitments.

Farmers, she says, want transparency, proof of authority, and a credible plan to combat FMD.