Legislative gap requires a rethink on biosecurity controls

Since the dawn of democracy, the agriculture sector has cemented its place as one of the essential and trusted pillars for economic growth, job creation, and foreign earnings in South Africa.

- Sifiso Ntombela.

The sector was instrumental in the country’s recovery from the COVID-19 downturn and helped with food security provisions.

Within agriculture, livestock production is the largest contributor, accounting for 42% of the sector's gross production value. Most farmers are directly or indirectly engaged in livestock, implying that livestock production is crucial for rural and farming household incomes.

The prosperity of the livestock industry is, however, under severe stress because of the escalating animal disease outbreaks, especially trade-distorting diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, African swine fever, and highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The disease spread in the country triggered the establishment of the Task Team on Animal Biosecurity in 2022, which made several recommendations to restore biosecurity control. Noticing the negative impact of diseases on agriculture, roleplayers held an Indaba Conference in July 2025 to formulate strategies for controlling and eradicating the diseases.

EFFECT ON SOCIOECONOMIC GAINS