One of South Africa’s biggest employers headed to court

Red meat farmers in South Africa are headed to court amid one of the most severe outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in the country’s history.

Despite paying millions in levies to certain organisations – funds that are earmarked for the monitoring and prevention of this disease – the farmers allege that they are not seeing any meaningful results.

Therefore, the Rooivleis Aksie Groep (RAG), representing the farmers, have instituted legal action against the Red Meat and Livestock Primary Cluster (RMPC) and its auditing partner, Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS NPC).

VDM Incorporated director and head of litigation Ann-Suhet Marx explained that this comes amid rising feed, veterinary and production costs, and potential export bans resulting from South Africa’s raging foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.

Marx explained that, as of 16 October 2025, South Africa was reportedly dealing with 274 unresolved outbreaks across five provinces.

She said this situation is being compounded by vaccine shortages and restrictions on the movement of livestock. “And banks are reporting growing financial pressure on their agricultural clients,” she added.

Marx said the outbreak is one of the most severe in the country’s history, which is why she is leading proceedings against the RMPC and RMIS NPC on behalf of the RAG.

She explained that RAG instituted legal action following a lack of response from RMPC and RMIS NPC to the organisation’s demand for transparency over the millions of rand collected in levies from abattoirs across the country.

“These levies – currently set at R14.33 per head of slaughtered cattle – are purportedly earmarked for FMD monitoring and prevention, but farmers aren’t seeing any meaningful results,” Marx said. 

“They are paying, but the disease continues to spread, market access is collapsing, and red meat prices are soaring. The system has failed, and they have had enough.”

She explained that RAG’s legal challenge centres on the lack of published audited accounts detailing how levy funds are spent.

Other concerns include RMPC’s “self-appointed authority” and “questionable national representation”.

RAG is also concerned about proposed new levies for cattle “traceability” despite prior commitments, and concerns over POPIA compliance and data handling.

Farmers are also demanding unrestricted access to foot-and-mouth disease testing and consistent veterinary declarations.

Widespread outbreak

Marx said that, as a member of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), South Africa is obligated to maintain effective foot-and-mouth disease control under the Terrestrial Animal Health Code.

“Failure to do so will jeopardise South Africa’s international trade status and further isolate its farmers from global markets,” she warned.

Marx explained that this recent outbreak is merely the latest in a series of outbreaks over the past few years. A 2019 outbreak in Limpopo led to the WOAH suspending South Africa’s foot-and-mouth disease-free status.

In 2022, KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State and Limpopo also suffered multiple infections that triggered widespread quarantining. 

The most recent outbreak, which was first reported in April 2025, continues to escalate, with allegations of questionable quarantine methods and inadequate veterinary assistance, Marx said.

“RAG’s demands are reasonable and justified. They are insisting on proof of authority, financial transparency, and a credible plan to combat foot-and-mouth disease,” she said. 

“Farmers can’t keep funding empty promises – if RMPC and RMIS NPC cannot show results, they should not be collecting money from them.”

The Democratic Alliance (DA) confirmed in September 2025 that no new outbreaks of the disease have been recorded in the Eastern Cape since September 2024. In addition, the party said the Northern Cape and Western Cape remain FMD-free.

Of the 274 unresolved outbreaks in five provinces, 180 are in KwaZulu-Natal. The DA said KZN remains the epicentre of infection, and was the source of the Mpumalanga outbreak following the sale of infected cattle at auction.

“FMD has severe consequences for South Africa’s agricultural industry. It blocks export opportunities, increases costs for both producers and consumers, and threatens jobs across the value chain,” the party said.

“Farmers, industry, government, and civil society must all act responsibly and in the best interests of the agricultural sector and the broader economy.”

RMPC and RMIS have confirmed receipt of a letter from RAG and their legal representatives on 27 August 2025.

In a statement released on 27 October, the organisation said a formal, legally compliant response was issued to their attorneys on 4 September 2025.

“To date, neither RMPC nor RMIS has received any further reply, clarification, or legal filing from RAG or their counsel,” they said.

“While public statements and media appearances suggest legal action is imminent, no summons or application has been served.”

RMPC and RMIS said they view formal legal proceedings as an opportunity to clarify their statutory roles and demonstrate full compliance.

“It would equally offer an opportunity for mutual transparency from the opposing party regarding their operational practices, legal standing, and representational mandates,” they said.

“To maintain the integrity of any potential legal process, RMPC and RMIS will withhold further public comment at this time.”