Kempton Park: Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has committed to accelerate the implementation of commodity-based development models, aimed at transforming South Africa’s livestock sector and improving market access for smallholder farmers. Delivering his keynote address at the inaugural Total Mixed Ration (TMR) Conference on Monday, Steenhuisen outlined five strategic pillars to guide South Africa on its road to food security and export growth in the red meat and dairy sectors.
According to South African Government News Agency, these strategic pillars include biosecurity and disease resilience; structural transformation and inclusion; regulatory efficiency and trade enablement; climate adaptation and environmental stewardship; and public-private partnerships and institutional coordination.
On biosecurity, Steenhuisen acknowledged the critical threat posed by animal diseases, such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). He emphasised the need for a sustainable, nationally coordinated FMD vaccination programme aligned with international standards set by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). The Minister said the department is prioritising the finalisation of the National Traceability Framework, and they will continue to support farmer compliance through targeted technical support. Vaccines have been ordered to manage the current FMD outbreak in KwaZulu-Natal, while investigations in Gauteng, including forward and backward tracing, are ongoing.
Steenhuisen reiterated the government’s commitment to investing in rural infrastructure, ensuring that Black and youth-owned livestock enterprises are included in export opportunities. He urged that communal livestock be reframed not just as a store of wealth, but as an economic engine that can lift entire districts out of poverty if formalised and supported.
Despite South Africa’s reputation for high-quality red meat and dairy products, Steenhuisen highlighted persistent regulatory delays, inconsistent enforcement, and non-tariff barriers that hinder export growth. To address this, the department is working to strengthen its Export Certification Coordination Committee and align efforts with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
The Minister also underscored the urgent need to respond to climate change within the livestock sector by investing in climate-smart livestock systems. These include drought-resilient fodder species, rotational grazing models, and precision feeding; soil rehabilitation and rangeland restoration; and expanding farmer access to climate information and training.
Steenhuisen further called for deeper collaboration between the public and private sectors, stressing the importance of strengthening platforms such as the Red Meat and Dairy Master Plans. The three-day conference, taking place from 8-10 June 2025 in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, brings together stakeholders from across the livestock industry to engage with experts on key topics.