This step is aimed at building a capable and resourceful unit dedicated to market access. Reopening suspended markets will ensure red meat and milk industries resume exports, regain lost ground, ensure food security and sustain jobs.

“It will ensure general recovery and a collective deep sigh of relief from the heavy losses suffered during trade suspensions,” continues Dipepeneneng Serage, deputy director-general of agricultural production, biosecurity and natural resources management.

“With the sector back at full trading, we hope this will boost the agricultural sector contribution to workforce statistics to over one million.”

More veterinarians in the unit aims to build a capable and resourceful unit. Photo: Pexel.com

Under the leadership of Dr Nadia de Beer, deputy director of the import/export policy unit, the department now has a team of 16 veterinarians comprising a deputy director, four senior and eleven junior officials.

The aim of expanding veterinarian numbers is to clear all market access questionnaires and proactively assess potential markets. These appointments came at the right time when the department had begun the process of reopening all export markets that were suspended due to the FMD outbreak.

Negotiations with most markets are underway and South Africa is poised to regain most suspended markets soon.

Serage attributed the culmination of the veterinarians’ appointments to a process put in motion in 2025 by former agriculture minister John Steenhuisen, welcoming the arrival of his successor, Willie Aucamp.

OFM Agri/Isabel van Tonder sm

• Deel jou landbounuus: agri@ofm.co.za.