Frequent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, avian influenza and African swine fever suggest weakness in biosecurity controls and the effect of climate change

For South Africa to maintain its current access to red meat, wool and other livestock products, it must continue to strengthen its biosecurity and revive vaccine manufacturing

This could be good for consumers as prices drop.

Despite this drop, trade figures remain encouraging, but various departments need to address policy and other issues to boost exports

The mid-summer drought and animal diseases resulted in reduced crop yields and hurt the poultry, piggery and cattle sectors

South Africa must remain vigilant to prevent outbreaks which are costly to farmers and harm the export market

There are weaknesses in the country’s biosecurity system, including the measures in place to reduce the risk of transmission of infectious diseases