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The South African Pork Producers’ Organisation says recent developments offer cautious optimism in the fight against foot-and-mouth disease affecting the pig industry in South Africa. The arrival of the first batch of vaccines and the approval for one affected commercial piggery to resume normal marketing activities have provided relief after several months of operational disruption. The provincial state veterinary authorities have also designated the first abattoir in KwaZulu Natal to process animals from affected areas, with additional facilities nearing approval.
Despite these gains, the organisation noted that several challenges remain. The North West province, which has experienced multiple outbreaks in commercial piggeries, still lacks a designated abattoir nearby. Industry stakeholders also say further research is urgently needed to determine how long the virus persists in pig tissues in order to guide evidence based policy decisions and potentially shorten controlled slaughter timelines.
To address these knowledge gaps, the organisation is commissioning research to assess the persistence of the virus in specific carcass components such as the head, bones and skin associated glands. Meanwhile, producers are being urged to maintain strict procedures on farm biosecurity, as human mediated transmission remains the most likely route of infection. Industry leaders emphasise that continued collaboration and compliance will be critical to stabilising the sector and supporting recovery.
February 27, 2026/ South Africa/ SAPPO/ https://sappo.org/
