SA’s biggest beef import partner on the continent, Namibia, has fallen foul of the country’s tuberculosis (TB) testing standards, leading to a low-key trade dispute between the countries.
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has issued a strongly worded statement in which it has reminded Namibia that its beef exports to SA must go through TB testing.
"Namibia claims to be free of TB, and submitted surveillance information to the veterinary authorities of SA, which could not scientifically prove freedom from TB," said department spokesman Steve Galane.
The bulk of SA’s live cattle imports are from Namibia, which ran into more than R80m in 2015 alone, excluding pure-bred cattle used by local farmers for breeding.
The department remains adamant that imported cattle must show no sign of bovine TB, which can be transmitted among herds as well as from the animals to humans.
"If the certifying vets in Namibia are confident that the herds from which the animals originate are free of TB, then they will be able to certify that requirement," said Galane.
Bovine TB is usually transmitted to humans when they ingest infected or unpasteurised milk from affected animals. It can affect humans’ lungs, lymph nodes and other body parts, but not everyone who contracts it will get ill.
The South African government wants to continue with its strict testing regulations to protect consumers and to prevent a potential aversion to buying beef in the country.
South African supermarket shelves have been overflowing with beef because farmers have been forced to slaughter herds as a result of the drought.
Drought has dried up grazing fields, leading to farmers struggling to feed their livestock.
Wandile Sihlobo, head of economic and agricultural intelligence at Agbiz, said: "In a normal year, farmers will slaughter roughly 5,500 cattle but from July 2015 they have been slaughtering about 16,500 cattle weekly."
But the main concern now is whether SA will have enough breeding stock for the future.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.