South Africa Beef Imports Suspended Due to Worst Livestock Disease Outbreak

The Mauritian government has halted all new import permits for South African cattle following a “national disaster” declaration over a devastating Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak.

The Cabinet of Ministers endorsed the decision on 20 February, effectively suspending trade with one of the region’s primary livestock suppliers.

The move follows an escalation in the veterinary crisis, which has seen South Africa grapple with one of its worst recorded epidemics.

Escalation of the Outbreak

Since the beginning of 2025, the disease has swept through seven of South Africa’s nine provinces.

Recent reports indicate the virus has reached the Western Cape and Northern Cape, where strict quarantine measures have been enforced on affected farms.

FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that causes painful blisters on the tongues, lips, and feet of animals, making it difficult for livestock to walk or eat.

Precautionary Measures and Local Impact

The Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security had already implemented preventative protocols in October, requiring all imported cattle, goats, and sheep to undergo rigorous sanitary testing.

However, the worsening situation led the South African government to declare a state of national disaster, prompting the current total suspension of new permits.

The suspension poses a significant challenge for the local meat industry. According to Statistics Mauritius:

• 95.4% of total beef production in 2024 was derived from imported cattle.
• Alternative sourcing strategies are now being activated to allow imports from other countries to maintain food security.

Economic Stability

The government has confirmed that measures are in place to facilitate livestock imports from alternative origins.

These steps are deemed essential to ensure the stability of the local sector and to meet domestic demand while protecting homegrown herds from infection.

Source: l’Express