The Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO) welcomes this publication of the biosecurity rules because it will assist in minimising animal diseases in the country. It is especially important because red meat exports are increasing, and local consumer assurance are also crucial.
Auction facilities are the second level of detection for animal diseases for animals that are traded through this very critical marketing section of the livestock production value chain. Therefore, it should play a very important role in reducing the spread of animal diseases through transactional business activities conducted within the auction facilities.
The biosecurity rules aim to establish an auditable and traceable system while minimising the spread of animal diseases as a result of auction activities.
This will be achieved by the specific objectives, namely:
• The implementation of a reliable, accurate, and auditable record-keeping system that ensures that all transactions conducted at livestock auctions were carried out following these reasonable and justifiable rules.
• Application of good biosecurity measures to prevent the introduction of diseased animals onto the property and the spread of disease among animals at a livestock auction.
• Prompt and diligent reporting of any suspected controlled or notifiable animal diseases to the relevant state veterinarian.
• Commitment to adhere strictly to the prescripts of existing legislation, their regulations, and rules.
The APAC biosecurity rules for livestock agents have specific requirements in terms of record-keeping and auditing, including the relevant necessary documentation that must be kept.
Furthermore, animals on offer at auctions must be compliant with the Animal Identification Act, 2002 (Act 6 of 2002) and the Stock Theft Act, 1959 (Act 57 of 1959) in terms of accompanying documentation and markings.
Certain biosecurity measures must be followed at the auction facility, while biosecurity measures at the farm of origin before moving to an auction are also necessary.
The rules outline administrative checkpoints to be made by the livestock agent, while certain biosecurity measures must be followed when entering at the auction’s livestock vehicle entrance. Biosecure areas are subjected to prescribed practices and official reporting procedures of suspect animals must be in place.
"The RPO considers livestock auctions to be a very important part of the value chain in our industry and it is important that auctioneers register with APAC. The APAC biosecurity rules will contribute to biosecurity, but most importantly, it will also contribute to the curbing of livestock theft," said Mr Koos van der Ryst, chairperson of the RPO.
The complete APAC biosecurity rules are available here.
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