Latest news with #DewaldOlivier
IOL News
15 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
Red Meat Industry Services activates Operational Centre in response to Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak
Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) said on Friday that it will activate a centralised Operational Centre (OC) at its headquarters on Monday, 9 June 2025, in response to the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak. Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) said on Friday that it will activate a centralised Operational Centre (OC) at its headquarters on Monday in response to the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak. RMIS said the OC will be led by a designated RMIS veterinarian and will oversee a team of veterinary professionals and industry representatives, along with a specialist public relations and public affairs agency, forming the FMD Working Group. 'The FMD Working Group will be mandated to develop and implement a structured, time-bound response to the outbreak, with medium- to long-term goals, including a focus on vaccination among other key areas.' The primary objective of this plan is to guide RMIS in addressing the current FMD situation in South Africa, with a strong focus on protecting red meat role players to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of the industry. 'This is critical not only for the red meat sector, but also for South Africa's broader agricultural economy, as the outbreak impacts the entire red meat value chain and poses a serious threat to the dairy industry and other sectors connected to red meat production,' it said. Another key aim is to establish public-private partnerships (PPPs) at various levels to support the understaffed public veterinary sector by leveraging private sector expertise and capacity. RMIS added that the immediate responsibilities of the OC are finalising a three-month response framework to address urgent risks and establish a platform for long-term management: The medium-term plan will include two key components: Expanding and supporting the capacity of veterinary services to enhance disease control. Establishing FMD-free livestock compartments supplying all South African red meat abattoirs. RMIS said that the OC's other responsibilities would include: Coordinating with the Joint Operations Centre (JOC) to align with government and industry stakeholders. Evaluating and enhancing the Government Contingency Plan. The Department has shared its contingency plan with the industry, which the FMD Working Group will review and provide feedback. Initiating a local vaccine production strategy, which includes assessing funding requirements, establishing an implementation timeline, and developing a financing model supported by industry funding. Centralising stakeholder communication through the appointed veterinarian, who will report directly to RMIS CEO Dewald Olivier. Implementing an electronic movement permit system: A basic, structured electronic Farmer Declaration system will be developed, communicated, and enforced. Dewald Olivier, the CEO of RMIS, said this is a defining moment for the red meat industry. 'RMIS was established precisely for a time like this - to provide coordinated leadership, technical expertise, and practical solutions in close collaboration with government and industry partners. Our unified efforts today will shape a more secure, sustainable, and competitive future for the industry,' Olivier said. Last week, Business Report reported that the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) livestock farming community called on the government to declare KZN a disaster area due to the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). In a joint statement, they called on the government to formally declare FMD a disaster as KZN grapples to contain the spread. 'In 2021, affected areas in the province were declared a Disease Management Area (DMA); the latest resurgence in 2023 has spread beyond this area and necessitated the expansion of the DMA; however, the spread continues outside of these areas.' In response, Dipepeneneng Serage, Deputy Director-General: Agricultural Production, Biosecurity and Natural Resources Management at the Department of Agriculture, said while they understand the seriousness of the FMD situation in KZN and in Gauteng, they don't think declaring a state of emergency is the solution. 'We have declared/gazetted the DMA which is in itself a state of emergency for livestock and farmers. We need farmers to work with the government to adhere to biosecurity regulations. Additionally, to the DMA, we will be issuing directives regarding the movement of animals in SA. BUSINESS REPORT Visit:
News24
15-05-2025
- Politics
- News24
Tender don arrested; Cornal Hendricks dies: Today's top 7 stories in 7 minutes
News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature. 9 LIVES: Tender king Cat Matlala arrested for botched hit on socialite ex-lover Vusimusi Cat Matlala, a businessman with a controversial R360 million police tender, was arrested for allegedly masterminding a hit on his former lover, Tebogo Thobejane. Thobejane survived the botched hit in October 2023, but another woman was paralysed; the hitmen are linked to another murder case involving a Transnet contract whistleblower. Thobejane pleaded with authorities for justice, fearing that Matlala's wealth and influence were obstructing the case, and highlighting the trauma and financial strain she has endured. 'AGOA is dead' – now sell our biltong to the world, say analysts at NAMPO Analyst JP Landman believes the Trump administration's tariff regime has effectively ended AGOA, urging South African producers to seek new markets. Landman suggests focusing on the Middle East and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as potential export destinations. Red Meat Industry Services CEO Dewald Olivier supports exploring ASEAN markets and promoting unique South African products like biltong for export. Baseless and misguided: Cabinet slams US' classification of Afrikaners as 'refugees' The South African Cabinet dismissed claims of persecution and genocide against Afrikaner farmers, stating police statistics don't support racially targeted violent crimes. Cabinet rejected the US administration's narrative that white Afrikaner farmers are being persecuted, deeming accusations of discrimination unfounded. The government criticised the US for granting refugee status to Afrikaners, asserting they don't meet the criteria under international refugee law. Healthcare workers protest over intern doctor's death at KZN hospital Dr Alulutho Mazwi, an intern doctor, died at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital after allegedly being forced to work while ill. Healthcare workers protested, demanding accountability for Mazwi's death and calling for investigations into the circumstances. The KZN health department and the Portfolio Committee on Health have committed to investigating the incident, while Mazwi's family is devastated. President Cyril Ramaphosa. Ramaphosa heads to White House to mend bridges with US President Donald Trump President Cyril Ramaphosa will visit the US from 19 to 22 May to meet with President Donald Trump and discuss bilateral, regional, and global issues. The visit follows Trump granting 'refugee' status to 49 Afrikaners, a move Ramaphosa disputes, asserting they are not persecuted but rather opposed to transformation in South Africa. Ramaphosa aims to reset the strategic relationship between the US and South Africa, clarifying that claims of white Afrikaner persecution are false and stem from anti-transformation groups. Former Bulls utility back Cornal Hendricks passed away on Wednesday Stewart/Gallo Images Bulls boss reveals 'Dr Death' Wouter Basson cleared Cornal Hendricks annually Cornal Hendricks, whose career was previously halted due to a heart condition, died after collapsing at his home. Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone revealed Hendricks received annual medical advice from Dr Wouter Basson regarding his heart condition. The Bulls will hold a pre-match tribute to Hendricks during their URC game on Saturday. Anele Mdoda with fiance Buzza Anele Mdoda's lobola sparks debate: Is she married or engaged? Customary law explained Anele Mdoda's lobola finalisation has sparked debate about customary marriage presumptions, with a legal expert emphasising the importance of meeting the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act requirements. According to Xhosa customs, the recent ceremony was a formal acceptance of the groom by the bride's family, but the traditional wedding with the groom's family is still pending. A legal expert says that while social appearances may suggest marriage, legal recognition requires fulfilling the criteria in Section 3(1) of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act, including consent, age, and customary law adherence.
eNCA
13-05-2025
- Business
- eNCA
Foot and mouth disease outbreak on Mpumalanga farm
BOTHAVILLE - The meat industry's concerned about a growing number of farms with Foot and mouth disease outbreaks. Outbreaks have spread to three provinces after the disease was reported on an Mpumalanga farm. China has suspended its South African beef imports sparking worry about the impact on farmers and their livelihoods. Red Meat Industry Services CEO, Dewald Olivier, says he is perplexed by the China ban, but he does not believe other nations will close or prohibit their products because they have mechanisms in place to ensure quality products.
Zawya
13-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
China bans South African beef imports amid FMD outbreak
China has suspended all beef and related product imports from South Africa following ongoing foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks in Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal. The Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) has expressed deep concern over the economic consequences of this ban, stressing the far-reaching effects on the red meat value chain, including producers, feedlots, abattoirs, and exporters. RMIS CEO Dewald Olivier comments: "This development is a stark reminder of the fragility of our export markets when faced with biosecurity threats. While we respect China's biosecurity protocols, the economic impact on South African farmers and the entire red meat value chain is severe and disheartening." The suspension comes despite the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between South Africa and China in September 2024, which aimed to enhance bilateral trade, particularly with regard to FMD prevention and control. The MoU was designed to allow beef exports from provinces free of FMD, enabling regionalisation to prevent trade suspensions during outbreaks. "We had hoped the MoU would pave the way for more nuanced responses to outbreaks—allowing beef exports from non-affected provinces to continue," Olivier notes. "Unfortunately, the current blanket suspension shows the complexity of implementing these agreements effectively during real-time crises." Strategic importance of the agreement The MoU sought to expand South Africa's beef exports to China, focusing on value-added products, and reinforcing China's role as South Africa's largest trading partner. The FMD-specific aspect of the agreement was intended to ensure that South Africa's disease control measures were respected, thereby reducing the risk of widespread trade suspensions. The current situation highlights the urgent need for the practical implementation of regionalisation and more resilient disease management systems. Export volumes to China In 2024, South Africa's beef exports grew by 30%, reaching 38,657 tonnes. China accounted for 14% of South Africa's frozen beef exports, underscoring the importance of this market to South African producers. While RMIS has voiced its concerns, it also acknowledges the swift response from the Department of Agriculture, which included containment measures and intensified biosecurity efforts. Olivier also recognised the leadership of deputy director-general, Dipepeneneng Serage, noting his instrumental role in guiding the sector through these challenging times. A call for innovative solutions RMIS urges the adoption of innovative strategies that can balance disease control with economic sustainability. They advocate for: • Enhanced traceability and biosecurity protocols to reassure trade partners. • The practical application of regionalisation, allowing exports from unaffected zones. • Stronger public-private partnerships to improve surveillance and response. • A review of protocols to prevent blanket bans that disrupt the industry. "We need solutions that serve both our domestic industry and our trade partners," Olivier emphasises. "Out-of-the-box thinking is essential—not just to manage disease outbreaks, but to protect the livelihoods of everyone in the red meat value chain and secure the future of South African exports." All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
