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Sandton, South Africa – Foot blisters may seem like a minor inconvenience, but for many, they can lead to significant discomfort, limiting mobility and impacting daily activities. At M Maddocks Inc, understanding the true nature of foot blisters and preventing them is a key part of their comprehensive approach to foot health. Through expert insights, …
The two-pot retirement system, designed to balance immediate financial needs with long-term retirement savings goals, has sparked unprecedented engagement among retirement fund members. Geoff Baars, Group Executive Director at advisory firm, NMG Benefits, notes, “The first month has probably seen a total of R10 billion in claims across the industry, which sets members back in …
South Africa’s workplaces are battling a silent mental health crisis, and according to a recent study by Sapien Labs’ fourth annual Mental State of the World Report, South Africa has the worst mental wellbeing levels ranking 69 out of 71 countries, with little improvement post the Covid-19 pandemic. Businesses have a critical role to play …
Event organisers, Stillwater Sports, are thrilled to announce a series of exciting route enhancements that will showcase the very best of Stellenbosch at the Savanna Origin of Trails MTB Experience fueled by Coca Cola Peninsula Beverages, taking place at Coetzenburg Field, Stellenbosch, on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 November 2024. When entering the event, riders …
JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) wishes to congratulate the DP World Lions and ACDC Express Tuskers, who were crowned 2024/25 T20...
The evolution of party sound: How LG’s XBOOM redefines audio excellence Experience the future of sound with various party speakers that push the boundaries of audio engineering and party aesthetics. By Carol Guedes, Consumer Electronics Head of Sales at LG Electronics South Africa Have you ever felt the floor shake beneath your feet at a …
Transformation into a Smart Life Solution company fuels remarkable growth and recognition LG Electronics (LG) has made significant strides in the global market with its innovative brand strategies, earning its place as a top global brand. On October 10, LG was ranked 97th with a brand value of approximately USD 6.5 billion in the Best …
Following his outstanding performance at the Boxer Super Run in Durban on 13 October, where he not only secured 1st place in the Elite Men’s Race but also reclaimed the title of fastest South African on home soil with a remarkable time of 13:39, Boxer Athletics Club (AC) Elite Runner Precious Mashele is more motivated …
Say Goodbye to ‘Sunday-Night Sickness’ As we enter the final stretch of the year, many of us find ourselves running on empty, our batteries drained to critical levels. Work demands, family obligations, and the pressure to give back to our communities have left us depleted. Weekends, once a time for rest, have become as draining …
South Africa has a significant issue with invasive and alien tree species which have spread across nearly 10 million hectares of land, consuming around 7% of the country’s precious water resources each year. Imagine these as uninvited guests at a party, and having made themselves at home, they’re incredibly hard to remove. Despite the eradication …
Government and industry’s efforts to control animal disease spread must be lauded
By Wandile Sihlobo
The past three years have been challenging for South Africa's livestock and poultry industry because of the spread of animal diseases. Throughout this period, we have had various cases of foot and mouth (FMD) disease in cattle, African swine fever in pigs, and avian influenza in poultry. While animal disease outbreaks are not unique to South Africa and indeed common across the world, South Africa's challenges have intensified in the recent past.
In 2022, six of South Africa's nine provinces reported foot and mouth disease outbreaks. This was the first time in the country's history that the disease had spread this wide. The challenging place the country found itself in prompted the government and industry stakeholders to increase their focus on strengthening farm biosecurity controls and surveillance.
Other interventions that are still underway include efforts to improve South Africa's veterinary and related support services (mainly the laboratories) that deal with vaccine production needs.
The cost of diseases in the livestock industry is not only felt through loss of livestock, but also through reduced exports to the world market in times of outbreaks. For example, South Africa's beef exports volume for 2022 was down by 16% year-on-year to 26 881 tonnes, according to data from Trade Map. This decline was primarily due to the temporary closures of various export markets following the outbreak of FMD disease in South Africa.
Furthermore, the sheep industry was also affected by the 2022 outbreak. China, a significant market for South African wool, suspended imports. The impact of those temporary closures is visible on export volumes of wool. For example, in 2022, South Africa's wool exports fell by 19% year-on-year to 42 239 tonnes. The major decline in volume was in the Chinese market.
Livestock and poultry account for roughly half of agriculture's gross value added. Moreover, livestock also significantly contributes to the inclusion of black farmers in commercial agricultural production. For example, the National Agricultural Marketing Council estimates suggest that black farmers account for 18%, 13% and 34% of wool, mohair and cattle production, respectively.
Therefore, the prevalence of animal disease outbreaks in the past few years slowed South Africa's commercial agriculture, export ambition and transformation in the industry.
In 2023, as the government and industry continued with its work to control the spread of animal diseases, we saw a slight recovery in beef and wool exports. For example, South Africa's beef exports recovered slightly in 2023, up 3% year-on-year to 27 675 tonnes.
For wool, the engagements between the South African and Chinese authorities to reassure the Chinese traders of the safety measures in place to ensure that there is no spread of disease led to the resumption of exports. In 2023, South Africa's wool exports recovered 18% year-on-year to 49 715 tonnes.
On 25 October 2024, the Department of Agriculture released even more positive news, which we believe will further support the recovery path of the industry. The department announced that the "foot and mouth disease outbreak, occurred during 2021-2022, has been successfully resolved in the North West, Free State, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga provinces. These provinces, initially impacted by the outbreak, have now completed comprehensive testing of animals on quarantined farms. The results indicate that the foot and mouth disease virus is no longer present”.
The department added that "the World Organisation for Animal Health has confirmed that the outbreak in these regions has officially been closed. However, it is important to note that the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces remain affected by foot and mouth disease outbreaks. Encouragingly, no new signs of the disease have been reported in these two provinces over the past month”.
This is admirable progress and further supports South Africa's ambition of being a global player in red meat exports. The successful path to the export markets involves addressing the biosecurity challenges. Continuous efforts must be made to address the remaining challenges in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
In addition, the South African government must work collaboratively with the private sector to revive the efficiency of the Agricultural Research Council and the Onderstepoort Biological Products, which are key for vaccine production and various livestock disease management matters.
*Wandile Sihlobo is the chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of SA (Agbiz) and a senior fellow in Stellenbosch University's Department of Agricultural Economics.
Janine
Sun, 10/27/2024 - 18:58
Everyone is invited to experience the spectacular views, magnificent setting, and welcoming atmosphere of Renishaw Hills in Scottburgh for its Open Day on Saturday, 2 November. This is a great opportunity to enjoy a day out on the KZN South Coast, with live music and delicious food – with an exclusive one-day-only special offer on …
With the festive season just around the corner, many savvy shoppers are looking to get their gifts bought in good time while planning epic family adventures on the KZN South Coast. Serenity Hills near Margate has it all – great markets, quality stalls, and awesome events (for everyone in the family – pets included!) set …
Is Generative AI overhyped? By Anthony Willis, Senior Specialist: Solutions Architect at Altron Digital Business Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in particular, have captured the imagination of the world with an ability to create new content, including text, images, videos, and code as well as interpretations of existing data and content. …
The 2024 Algoa FM Big Walk for Cancer presented by ISUZU MOTORS South Africa was bigger than ever – with a record of more than 15 000 participants in pink turning up across Gqeberha, George and East London on Saturday, 26 October. Now in its 26th year, the Big Walk is the largest mass participation …
As the busiest summer that South Africa has seen in decades, if not ever, approaches, few agencies can boast a legacy as rich and vibrant as that of Shaun Duwe and his brainchild agency that has been “Making Brands Cool” since 2003 – Anything Goes. This pioneering organisation has been at the forefront of event …
CENTURION: The Momentum Multiply Titans have booked their place in the 2024/25 T20 Challenge final with a decisive 19-run victory over...
Checkers aeroplane debuts ahead of festive season In a South African grocery retail first, Checkers has taken to the skies in a specially branded aeroplane. Emblazoned with “Sixty60” on its sides and “Checkers” on its belly, the plane was first spotted at the OR Tambo International airport on Thursday, 24 October. In collaboration with award-winning …
The stunning Crocworld Conservation Centre on the KZN South Coast, with its incredible animals and activities, is the ultimate playground – and it’s set to get better! On 26 October, Sapphire Coast Tourism is encouraging everyone to come out for the launch of Jikaleza Outdoor Adventures – an amazing zipline and obstacle course that gives …
The Festival of Lights is an annual Hindu celebration of good triumphing over evil, and a significant element of the Diwali celebration is the sharing of delicious eats. To contribute towards the great flavours of this year’s Diwali celebrations, Tetley has partnered with foodie Priyanka Chanderdeo to share her favourite Tetley Chai recipes. “Diwali is …
@Sandton Hotel’s is set to redefine its culinary offerings through their new Executive Chef, Yoshan Naidu, a dynamic and passionate force in South Africa’s gastronomic world. With a focus on sustainable dining and a passion for developing young talent, Yoshan brings a fresh approach rooted in South Africa’s diverse food culture. This innovative chef is …
Join the community to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer support on 2 November 2024 at COCO Pilates @Sandton Hotel. This November, COCO Pilates @Sandton Hotel invites you to stretch, strengthen, and support a cause that touches countless lives. Nestled in the heart of Sandton’s luxurious hotel setting, the studio transforms into a lively …
October 2024, Johannesburg: As we find ourselves moving into summer, the vibrancy of the season offers a gentle boost of renewal—not just for nature, but for our own mental well-being. October, being Mental Health Awareness Month, encourages us to explore the healing power of nature, whether through the tranquillity of a garden or the presence …
South Africa’s older generation face a retirement crisis, with a paltry 7% of retirees feeling “well-prepared” and less than half of over-65’s having a retirement plan. With longer life expectancies, rising healthcare costs, inflation and a tough economy many retirement savings fall short. As a result a staggering 45% of over-60’s continue working, and 30% …