Dewald Olivier, CEO of Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), delivered a key address at the GCCA Africa Conference, where he outlined the critical role RMIS plays in managing the red meat value chain in South Africa. This is part four of a five-part series.
To enforce traceability and movement control, RMIS has introduced a unique role: the Biosecurity Marshal.
Inspired by the US TV series Yellowstone, these marshals are trained and appointed under the Animal Diseases Act, with powers equivalent to those of state veterinary officers. They are empowered to:
- Monitor animal movement
- Enforce biosecurity protocols
- Open facilities for inspection in the event of a suspected outbreak
Each animal must now be traceable from its Global Location Number (GLN) – a system developed in collaboration with GS1 – from farm to abattoir. Animals are scanned at point of departure and again upon arrival, ensuring full visibility.
Though some farmers initially resisted, fearing data exposure, RMIS has worked to minimise intrusiveness. “We only require a cellphone number, email address, and GPS location. No financial or production data is needed,” Olivier explained.
A strategic focus on trade-ready markets
While traceability systems are designed to restore trust and unlock international markets, RMIS is strategic about which markets to pursue.
“Currently, we export to countries that want to do business with us: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and even Brazil. Yes, Brazil is importing our beef. We’re not going to jump through impossible hoops to reach overly Eurocentric markets. We’ll get there eventually, but for now, we prioritise realistic, high-impact partnerships.”
Managing disease: a new normal
Olivier acknowledges a sobering truth: FMD is here to stay. “This is Africa. Just this morning, I read of a new outbreak in Egypt. We must stop treating FMD as an anomaly and start treating it as a management issue.”
That means better traceability, faster response times, and stronger public-private partnerships (PPPs). It also means new thinking: “We need to live with FMD, not just fight it.”
Brucellosis: a quiet, dangerous threat
While FMD grabs headlines, Olivier warns that Brucellosis poses an even greater long-term threat. This zoonotic disease can transfer from animals to humans, causing reproductive issues and, in severe cases, death.
“It’s easy to test for, and it’s easy to control with vaccination,” Olivier said, “yet it remains largely ignored. From an industry perspective, it’s more devastating than FMD.”
A comprehensive national surveillance programme is needed – one that combines government oversight with industry leadership.