Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen addressed the World Organization for Animal Health's Global Threat Reduction Conference in Geneva on Tuesday, emphasizing South Africa's biosecurity initiatives. The minister outlined national strategies for antimicrobial resistance, disease surveillance, and laboratory standards at the three-day meeting that concludes on October 30.
South Africa operates nine reference laboratories through the Agricultural Research Council that handle African horse sickness, foot-and-mouth disease, and rabies, among other pathogens. The facilities maintain ISO/IEC 17025 certification and assist regional partners with diagnostic testing. Officials expect to produce thousands of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine doses by April 2026 from domestic manufacturing.
The government implements the One Health framework that connects human, animal, and environmental health systems. Multiple departments coordinate disease monitoring and emergency planning under this approach. The Meat Safety Act requires abattoir inspections while electronic tracking systems follow products through the supply chain.
Import controls mandate veterinary permits and risk assessments for animal products entering the country. Border authorities inspect shipments at designated entry points to prevent biological threats from crossing into South Africa.
South Africa operates nine reference laboratories through the Agricultural Research Council that handle African horse sickness, foot-and-mouth disease, and rabies, among other pathogens. The facilities maintain ISO/IEC 17025 certification and assist regional partners with diagnostic testing. Officials expect to produce thousands of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine doses by April 2026 from domestic manufacturing.
The government implements the One Health framework that connects human, animal, and environmental health systems. Multiple departments coordinate disease monitoring and emergency planning under this approach. The Meat Safety Act requires abattoir inspections while electronic tracking systems follow products through the supply chain.
Import controls mandate veterinary permits and risk assessments for animal products entering the country. Border authorities inspect shipments at designated entry points to prevent biological threats from crossing into South Africa.
