how a tracking system would control outbreaks

South Africa’s R80 billion beef industry is facing a severe economic crisis as foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks have spread to all provinces, leading to a 26% decline in beef exports during 2025. According to data from the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy, the ongoing outbreak is projected to cost the livestock sector R13.1 billion over the next five years, with key international markets including China, the United Kingdom, and Namibia remaining closed to South African beef since January 2025.

The Scale and Impact of the Outbreak

The current crisis stems from the SAT2 strain of foot and mouth disease, which was first identified in KwaZulu-Natal in May 2021. The virus is highly contagious among cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep, and pigs, and is frequently transmitted from wildlife to domestic livestock near protected areas like the Kruger National Park. While the disease poses no risk to human health and meat remains safe for consumption, its economic impact is significant due to required quarantines, animal culling, and the loss of international trade access.

Did You Know? Foot and mouth disease is frequently confused with hand, foot and mouth disease, a common childhood illness; however, the two conditions are caused by entirely different viruses and are not related.

The Role of Traceability Systems

Experts, including researcher Tania Prinsloo, point to the lack of a mandatory, nationwide traceability system as a primary obstacle to managing the spread of the virus. A functional system would uniquely identify every animal through ear tags, allowing authorities to track movement, vaccination history, and contacts between herds. Currently, the only widely used system is provided by Red Meat Industry Services, but participation remains voluntary, leaving large portions of the national herd untracked.

Namibia tightens FMD controls amid Southern Africa outbreaks – nbc

Expert Insight: The absence of a centralized, mandatory tracking system creates a significant trade barrier, as global markets increasingly require rigorous proof of animal origin and health status. Without a unified national approach, individual efforts by producers like Karan Beef remain isolated, leaving the broader industry vulnerable to continued export bans.

Challenges to Nationwide Implementation

Implementing a country-wide system faces structural and economic hurdles. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development is currently constrained by budget shortages and complex constitutional requirements that necessitate coordination between national and provincial governments. Furthermore, the industry is split between large-scale commercial operations and approximately 2.4 million small-scale farmers, the latter of whom often lack the resources and digital infrastructure to participate in high-cost, technology-heavy tracking programs.

What May Happen Next

Without a mandatory, integrated system, South Africa’s access to global beef markets is likely to remain restricted. A possible next step for the government involves scaling up public-private partnerships to subsidize ear tags and digital infrastructure, similar to the model implemented in Eswatini in 2013. If authorities fail to bring the disease under control through these or other measures, the country risks further long-term declines in export revenue as international importers maintain current trade closures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the meat from infected animals safe for humans to eat?
Yes. Foot and mouth disease does not affect humans, and meat and dairy products from affected areas remain safe for human consumption.

Why is it so difficult to stop the spread of the disease?
The disease is highly contagious and can be spread through windborne viruses, contaminated equipment, and human activity. Additionally, broken or fallen veterinary fences near wildlife reserves allow infected wildlife to mix with domestic herds, making containment difficult.

What is the primary goal of a livestock traceability system?
A traceability system aims to provide an accurate record of an animal’s entire lifecycle. This allows officials to identify infected animals quickly, trace their contacts, and quarantine specific herds to prevent widespread outbreaks.

Do you believe a mandatory digital tracking system is the most effective way to secure the future of the South African livestock industry?