Biosecurity is often associated with protective suits, masks, and quarantine zones during major disease outbreaks. However, many crucial biosecurity measures are implemented long before they become public knowledge, and they often take place in the most ordinary settings.
From farms and veterinary clinics to animal shelters, wildlife reserves, food production systems, and households—daily decisions can determine whether a disease is stopped at its source or allowed to spread.
In a statement, the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) emphasized that the essence of biosecurity is preventing the spread of diseases caused by living pathogenic organisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, between animals, humans, and the environment. For veterinary and para-veterinary professionals, education is as significant as treatment.
According to Dr. Peter Verwoerd, a general practitioner veterinarian at a SAVC urban clinic, the initial obstacle to implementing biosecurity is gaining support from all stakeholders. He noted that educating all involved personnel is a prerequisite for success.
Veterinary experts help identify dangerous diseases that may affect specific animal populations. Verwoerd explained that weakened biosecurity practices negatively impact the agricultural sector, including wild and domestic animal populations. Furthermore, the danger of these zoonotic diseases can trigger an outbreak that could potentially infect people in the area.
Biosecurity is already part of daily life, even if people are unaware of it. SAVC points out that farmers disinfecting equipment before moving between pens reduce the risk of pathogen transfer from one group of animals to another.
Verwoerd added that identifying specific pathogens posing the greatest risk to a particular herd, livestock, facility, or animal population allows biosecurity measures to be adapted to the prevailing situation. He also stressed that understanding how a pathogen spreads, its life cycle, and its survival conditions helps specialists identify the most vulnerable points.
According to SAVC, the reliability of any biosecurity system depends on its weakest link. The Council explained that an infected animal introduced without proper health screening can endanger the entire herd. Moving equipment between farms without proper disinfection can transfer infectious organisms, and even contaminated soil, unknowingly carried by visitors' footwear, can introduce disease into an unaffected area.
Recent outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in South Africa have demonstrated how the disease can spread far beyond individual animals, affecting agricultural operations, food production, trade, and the local economy.
SAVC warned that the consequences can be devastating: farmers may lose animals and livelihoods; food production may be disrupted, potentially affecting food security and prices; export-dependent industries may face trade restrictions and significant financial losses. Moreover, communities may face movement restrictions, increased surveillance, and costly disease control measures.
These consequences underscore an important point: biosecurity is not just about following rules. It is about understanding the reasons behind these rules and recognizing the role of every individual in preventing the spread of diseases.
The Council stated that fences, disinfectants, quarantine facilities, and legislation are important elements of biosecurity. However, none of this can replace an informed person making the right decision at the right time.
SAVC noted that one of the biggest challenges in implementing effective biosecurity is winning the commitment of all involved parties. While people are expected to understand the risks of diseases and prevention measures, assumptions can create dangerous gaps. If farmers, animal owners, workers, and other stakeholders do not share a common understanding of risks and goals, even a comprehensive biosecurity plan may fail.
The largest registered outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) on commercial pig farms in South Africa has been successfully localized. Farms affected by the outbreak north of Pretoria have been depopulated, and they are expected to return to full production capacity within the next 12–18 months.
Nevertheless, the South African Pork Producers Organisation (Sappo) warned that ASF remains a constant threat, especially in small and informal pig farming systems where recurrent outbreaks pose significant financial and biosecurity risks.
Carla Zitsman, General Manager of Sappo, noted that while the commercial outbreak is contained, producers cannot afford to become complacent. In an interview with Food For Mzansi, she provided more detailed information on the state of the industry.
Zitsman specified that the ASF outbreak in commercial pig farms north of Pretoria in 2025/26 was the largest in South African history. This outbreak has been eliminated, and all affected pig complexes have been depopulated. These facilities are expected to be repopulated and reach full capacity within a period of 12 to 18 months.
However, ASF remains a persistent risk as outbreaks continue in small and informal settings. In such cases, the financial consequences of quarantine, production losses, and restocking can be difficult to absorb.
Previously, disease outbreaks caused significant uncertainty regarding local pork supply. Due to reduced production capacity and disruption of the normal market cycle, imports increased to compensate for potential shortages. Simultaneously, concerns over reduced local production led to a rise in wholesale pork prices from approximately R32/kg to around R40/kg.
Currently, as commercial farms recover and imported products enter the market, supply exceeds demand, leading to a decrease in wholesale prices back to around R30/kg. Sappo forecasts a gradual market normalization rather than sharp price fluctuations; as local production and demand balance out, prices are likely to stabilize closer to the long-term average of around R32/kg.
Consumers can be assured of the safety of pork sold through official retail channels. Neither African Swine Fever (ASF) nor Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) poses a threat to human health, as these are animal diseases not transmitted to humans through pork consumption.
South Africa operates robust meat control and food safety systems at every stage of the supply chain. Animals are inspected before slaughter, carcasses undergo thorough checks, and only meat meeting established food safety standards reaches the retail market.
Biosecurity remains the most effective defense against both ASF and FMD. Every producer, regardless of scale, must consistently implement the following measures:
Regarding the impact of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) on pig farming, although it usually causes relatively low mortality among pigs, its economic impact on the pork industry is significant. Outbreaks lead to movement restrictions that disrupt the normal flow of pigs through the production and processing chain, causing sudden regional shortages in some areas and surpluses in others.
One key lesson learned from these outbreaks is that preparedness for diseases extends far beyond the farm gate. Strong biosecurity, rapid disease detection and reporting, effective traceability, and close collaboration between producers, veterinarians, industry bodies, and government are essential prerequisites for limiting the consequences of future outbreaks.
