New Foot and Mouth Disease regulations bring hope to South African beef industry

There has been a positive reaction to gazetting of Section 9 last week of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) regulations.

There has been a positive reaction to the gazetting of Section 9 last week of new Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) regulations.

Beefmaster Group said that they welcomed the gazetting of the long-awaited Section 9 Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) regulation.

Roelie van Reenen, supply chain executive of Beefmaster Group, said that the revised regulation is significant as it provides much-needed economic relief for SA beef role players. “It allows stakeholders to operate very differently compared to previously and opens the door to a new era in how we conduct business, access markets and source cattle.”

Van Reenen added that he is extremely pleased that the regulation takes the latest scientific evidence into account regarding FMD controlled slaughter, referencing the findings from a recent study led by Professor Armanda Bastos of the University of Pretoria in collaboration with the Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS).