South Africa’s pork industry strengthens disease control and traceability

SOUTH AFRICA – South Africa’s pork industry is strengthening disease control, traceability and animal welfare systems after its largest African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak and 17 Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) incidents in commercial piggeries.

The South African Pork Producers’ Organisation (SAPPO) outlined the measures at its AGM and Expo in Pretoria on 2-3 September, including FMD vaccination, revised disease-control measures, digital traceability and expanded animal-health support.

The event was held under the theme “Stewardship in Action”.

Since November 2025, SAPPO has helped coordinate the industry response to the country’s largest ASF outbreak.

During the same period, the first commercial piggery contracted FMD, followed by 17 FMD incidents in commercial units.

FMD response strengthens biosecurity

Revised Section 9 control measures, published in July 2026 after engagement between SAPPO and government, have reduced the welfare and commercial impact of FMD controls on affected piggeries.

About 200,000 FMD vaccine doses were allocated and distributed during the past year, with vaccination records captured through SAPPO’s World of Pork digital platform.

The platform introduced dedicated FMD vaccine record-keeping functionality in May to create a centralised and auditable record of vaccination activities.

SAPPO is also expanding its animal-health capacity.

The organisation has appointed a second veterinarian and made animal health a dedicated focus area, while commissioning research to validate FMD diagnostic tests, examine pathways for restoring compartment status following vaccination and assess the effects of FMD vaccination in pigs.

Traceability is another priority. SAPPO is driving the registration of Global Location Numbers (GLNs) for farms and production sites during the remainder of 2026.

The unique identifiers are intended to strengthen traceability and support disease management across livestock species.

Welfare and farm assurance expand

SAPPO’s Pork 360 programme continues to provide farm-to-fork assurance covering food safety, animal welfare, environmental stewardship, biosecurity and traceability.

The programme audited 154 units in 2025, according to SAPPO’s AGM reporting.

The organisation has also introduced Social Sows, a programme designed to track producers’ transition towards gestation crate-free production.

The initiative is scheduled to become operational in the fourth quarter of 2026, with producer commitments and milestones recorded on the World of Pork platform.

The measures form part of a broader effort to improve the resilience of South Africa’s pork value chain as producers face continuing disease risks.

SAPPO CEO Dr Marlene Louw said the industry had moved from arguing for risk-based disease controls to adapting its systems to operate under ongoing FMD risk.

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