By Karabo Ngoepe and Thokozani Mazibuko
Farmers in Eswatini are fearing for their livestock as cases of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) continue to increase in neighbouring South Africa.
At least three farmers have told the Eswatini Sunday that their fears are in three forms, FMD making its way into Eswatini, South African cattle being sold in Eswatini at lower prices and the European market being closed due to FMD exposed cattle circulating in the market.
Currently, only three countries are without FMD and are permitted to export their products to Europe, Eswatini, Botswana and Namibia.
“If we are to allow animals from South Africa into Eswatini, we risk introducing the disease into the country. This will have devastating consequences for us,” said a farmer speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Another farmer said if animals are allowed to come in from South Africa, Eswatini would become a dumping group for cheap meat.
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“If the government allows imports, South Africa will dump their products into our market and the prices will drop, significantly affecting us. In Eswatini, cattle go for about E10 000 while in South Africa the price ranges between E3 000 and E5 000. We as farmers are going to be severely affected by this,” he said.
“I employ the authorities not to allow this. We want to be able to sell our livestock at rates that allow us to be able to take care of our families.”
Agriculture is a significant part of Eswatini’s economy, employing a large portion of the workforce, especially in rural areas. In 2017, the agriculture sector employed 69.135% of the total workforce in Eswatini. The sugar sector accounts for about 5% of the GDP and 20,000 jobs. Eswatini exports around 92% of its sugar production. Over 70% of the population relies on subsistence farming. It is worth mentioning that the agriculture sector has been declining due to droughts related to climate change.
South African farmers themselves have been fighting import and dumping to protect their markets and farmers. The poultry industry has been one of the most vocal in recent years, saying it is on the brink of collapse due to the European Union dumping cheap chicken in the country in a dispute over free trade.
About 500 workers, former workers and company managers from the South African poultry sector marched on the EU headquarters in Pretoria in August, furious over cheap imports and mounting job losses.
Organisers of the march said that 4,000-5,000 jobs had already been lost and that 110,000 more were at risk in the industry, plus 20,000 in the feed supply sector.
“Organize or starve,” said one banner at the protest. “Dumping destroys SA jobs,” said another.
RCL Foods, South Africa’s largest poultry producer, in July laid off 1,350 employees — 20 per cent of its workforce — and is selling 15 of its 25 farms.
“This issue has been growing since the EU started to send more and more leg quarters to South Africa at what we consider dumped prices,” RCL Foods managing director Scott Pitman, who was on the march said.
“Not only have we taken a financial burden over the last five years, but the loss has got so big that we are going to go bankrupt if we don’t cut the size of our business.”
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The South African poultry industry alleges that the EU dumps off-cuts of “dark meat” – chicken thighs and drumsticks – in South Africa at below-cost prices because the European market prefers breast meat.
Currently, there are 37 farms confirmed to have FMD in Humansdorp in the Eastern Cape while KwaZulu-Natal has at least 132 open cases. South Africa has experienced multiple outbreaks of foot and mouth disease (FMD) since 2019, which ended its status as an FMD-free zone:
The country has experienced at least 10 outbreaks since 2019. Outbreaks have occurred in Limpopo, North West, Free State, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga. The source of the virus in Limpopo was unknown, but most outbreaks appear to have originated in the Kruger National Park.
In October, the Department of Agriculture confirmed that the foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak affecting the North West, Free State, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga Provinces during 2021-2022 has been resolved. Thorough testing on quarantined farms in these provinces has shown that the FMD virus is no longer present.
The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) 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 FMD outbreaks. It is said that no new signs of the disease have been reported in these two provinces over the past month.
In the Humansdorp area, 37 farms have now been confirmed positive for FMD, while a further 38 farms were pre-emptively vaccinated to prevent further spreading of the disease. Since the onset of the outbreak, approximately 130,000 animals have been vaccinated across the province.
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Farms that are either infected or vaccinated remain under quarantine, with animal movements restricted. Movement from these farms is only permitted for direct slaughter with state veterinary approval.
Minister of Agriculture, Mandla Tshawuka highlighted to Eswatini Sunday that it is very important to keep Eswatini Foot and Mouth Disease free to retain international markets. He said measures were put in place to protect the market and country.
“We have controls on imports through the permit system. That is why the milk supply was interrupted as we stopped imports from the Eastern Cape after the outbreak was reported. When animals come through either as recovered stock or imports, they are quarantined and tested before release to the national herd,” Minister Tshawuka responded.
Moreover, the Minister pointed out that Eswatini is always concerned when FMD comes close to our borders and that the outbreaks in KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape are important as the former is due to proximity and the latter is because Parmalat imports milk from there.
“That is why our milk supply has been interrupted. It is a risk and supply problem respectively. South Africa has been battling Foot and Mouth Disease since 2021 and this year alone, there are 33 farms affected in the Eastern Cape and 132 in KwaZulu-Natal. How concerned is Eswatini about this?” the Minister clarified during the interview.
Furthermore, Minister Tshawuka highlighted that Eswatini appreciates the access to the European Union Markert (EU) and according to the Ministry, that would add that now more markets have opened in places like Taiwan, Dubai and other regions.
“It is important to keep our country FMD free to retain these markets. However, it is equally important to fill such markets. Currently, we cannot supply these markets because our national herd has declined to very low levels where self-regeneration through breeding is not going to grow quickly enough. So those markets are as good as non-existent at this point because we can’t use them as we have no product to supply to their full capacity,” he pointed out.
According to the Minister, Eswatini is therefore encouraged by a recent announcement that the provinces of Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Free State and North West are free from FMD.
“The Ministry has established a multi-stakeholder committee to look at how we can bring animal and product imports without bringing FMD. We have surveillance, testing, quarantine, permits and codon areas as control and prevention measures,” Minister Tshawuka gave reassurance.
Stock theft is a painful thing for our livestock farmers
The ongoing battle against stock theft continues to be a pressing issue for livestock farmers in Eswatini, with theft incidents escalating alarmingly.
According to the Minister of Agriculture, Mandla Tshawuka, the government is intensifying its efforts to combat this menace and protect the interests of its farmers.
In a recent response to a questionnaire from Eswatini Sunday, Minister of Agriculture Mandla Tshawuka addressed the rising concerns surrounding stock theft and the threats posed by livestock diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), which is currently affecting neighbouring South Africa.
“Stock theft is a pain that our livestock farmers have to endure every day, and it is escalating astronomically,” Minister Tshawuka stated. “Our primary concern must be to eliminate stock theft before we discuss how to manage recovered livestock. We’ve already implemented quarantine measures for animals coming from South Africa, including those recovered from thieves or imported from across the border.”
Acknowledging the risk of FMD, the Minister added, “South Africa has been dealing with Foot and Mouth Disease since 2021, with 37 farms in the Eastern Cape and 132 in KwaZulu-Natal currently affected. This is a significant concern for us, as outbreaks can jeopardize our cattle market. We are diligently working on measures to safeguard our livestock from such diseases.”
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To fortify its defences against animal diseases, Eswatini is actively working on establishing a quarantine facility close to its northern border, a strategic move to mitigate the risk of disease transmission and ensure the safety of the nation’s cattle. Minister Tshawuka emphasized, “The existing quarantine facilities are located far from this part of the country, which hinders our ability to respond effectively. The new facility will enhance our capacity to manage incoming livestock and contain any potential outbreaks.”
Regarding the alarming rise in stock theft incidents, the Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to rein in the illegal movement of cattle across borders. “We are taking stringent measures to ensure that no cattle from South Africa enter Eswatini, particularly as many farmers are still trying to recover stolen livestock. This includes increased patrols and collaboration with law enforcement agencies to combat stock theft.”
Minister Tshawuka concluded, “It is imperative that we, as a government, work together with our farmers to create an environment where they feel safe and secure in their livelihoods. We will continue to prioritize the protection of our livestock and take any necessary steps to ensure the health of our cattle market.”
Foot and Mouth Disease: A growing threat to Africa’s livestock and economy
As Africa strives for agricultural advancement and economic stability, a shadow looms over the continent: Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
This highly contagious viral infection primarily affects livestock, posing a significant threat to millions of farmers’ livelihoods and the overall economy of many affected nations. Recent studies and reports indicate that without robust control measures, FMD could wreak havoc on food security, export revenues, and rural economies across the continent.
Foot and Mouth Disease is endemic in several African countries, particularly in regions where livestock farming is a cornerstone of the economy. According to the African Union’s Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe have reported frequent outbreaks, with the disease detected in both cattle and wild ungulates.
A recent report from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) emphasizes that the continuing presence of FMD in Africa not only undermines animal health but also compromises food security. The disease primarily spreads through direct contact between animals, contaminated food, and human activity. The economic toll can be devastating, with estimates suggesting that countries could lose up to 10% of their livestock value in a single outbreak.
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The ramifications of FMD extend far beyond animal health; they penetrate deep into the economic fabric of affected countries. The livestock sector is vital for the livelihoods of millions in Africa, providing not just food but also employment and income. A study from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) revealed that for some African nations, particularly those heavily reliant on livestock for export, failure to control FMD could lead to export losses of hundreds of millions of dollars.
According to the report, countries like Kenya and Botswana, known for their significant beef exports, face the potential of losing lucrative international markets due to FMD outbreaks.
“As demand for African livestock products grows globally, the inability to maintain disease-free status could cost these nations not only current revenue but also future growth opportunities in the agricultural sector,” reads the report.
Further, the report states that despite the challenges, experts agree that Foot and Mouth Disease can be controlled through a combination of vaccination, biosecurity measures, and improved animal husbandry practices. It reveals that the African Union has initiated several initiatives aimed at vaccinating livestock in high-risk areas, which has shown success in controlling outbreaks.
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Moreover, the reports point out that strengthening veterinary services and surveillance systems is critical. A report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlights the need for coordinated efforts between regional governments to share information and resources. Collaborative approaches could enable faster response times to outbreaks, reducing the risk of widespread transmission.
It should be noted that as the spectre of Foot and Mouth Disease continues to threaten Africa’s livestock sector, the stakes have never been higher.
“The economic implications of uncontrolled outbreaks are severe, potentially leading to significant losses in revenue and livelihoods. Yet, with concerted efforts in vaccination and improved health systems, Africa can combat this insidious disease. The time to act is now before the cost of inaction rises beyond what many economies can bear,” the report further reads.
It is worth mentioning that as primary producers and policymakers convene, FMD mustn’t fall to the sidelines in discussions on agricultural advancement as the future of millions depends on it.
