While South Africa is battling a declared national disaster due to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), the government continues to permit the export of live cattle by sea – a trade model that inherently increases the risk of disease spread at every stage.
On the 26 February, Stop Live Export SA issued an open letter to the Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, calling for the immediate suspension – and permanent prohibition – of live animal exports in light of the ongoing FMD outbreak.
A national disaster — yet business as usual
FMD has been formally declared a National Disaster. Government’s own communication urges all sectors to refrain from practices that may increase the risk of disease spread. Yet live export shipments have resumed. After a brief pause in 2025, exports recommenced:
- November 2025 – one shipment of cattle exported to Mauritius
- December 2025 – two further shipments to Mauritius
- January 2026 – another shipment exported to Mauritius
- February 2026 – an additional shipment was attempted but averted following intervention by the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA)
Despite this, the Department of Agriculture has not announced an official moratorium on this barbaric practice.
16 Hours on the road — during an outbreak
Cattle for export are being sourced from as far as Upington — a journey of approximately 16 hours by truck to East London harbour.
Live export is not a single transaction; it is a chain of high-risk events:
- Long-distance interprovincial transport
- Aggregation of animals from multiple farms
- Holding facilities and feedlots
- Port handling and loading operations
- Prolonged sea voyages
Each stage creates mixing points that are well-recognised vectors for FMD transmission. When FMD is already circulating, large-scale animal movement directly undermines containment efforts.
The Livestock Welfare Coordinating Committee, a South African body that coordinates responses to animal-welfare issues affecting livestock, particularly during disease outbreaks, issued the following statement: “The live export of farmed animals by sea for slaughter entails inherent harms that undermine animal welfare. Given that the overall objective of the LWCC is to promote the responsible, humane and compassionate use and treatment of livestock in every phase of the production process, and noting that better welfare alternatives to live export exist, many of which entail significant domestic economic, employment and other benefits, the LWCC discourages the practice of shipping animals by sea for slaughter. Alternatives, which can be to the benefit of animals, industry and broader society, are needed.”
Farmers pay the price
While livestock farmers across South Africa are suffering devastating economic consequences from FMD – including movement restrictions, trade limitations and financial strain – a niche live export trade continues to operate.
FMD outbreaks trigger import bans and damage international market confidence. The systemic economic harm to the broader livestock industry far outweighs the limited commercial benefit derived from live exports.
There is also a real risk that importing countries may suspect FMD upon arrival, potentially rejecting shipments at port. Such a scenario would leave animals stranded at sea or in foreign ports, creating severe animal welfare consequences and reputational damage for South Africa.
A preventable biosecurity risk
FMD spreads through:
- Direct animal contact
- Aerosols
- Contaminated equipment and vehicles
- Clothing and vessels
Live export operations combine all of these risk factors. Transport stress further compromises immunity, making animals more susceptible to infection and deterioration during long sea voyages, where veterinary intervention is limited.
At a time when government has declared FMD a national disaster, allowing a transport model that relies on large-scale aggregation and long-distance movement of cloven-hoofed animals is fundamentally inconsistent with disease-control principles.
Broad civil society support
The open letter , which has been endorsed by six leading animal protection organisations, has also been sent to:
- The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Agriculture
- The Ministerial Advisory Task Team on Animal Disease Prevention and Control
- The Head of the National Disaster Management Centre
Stop Live Export SA is calling for:
- The immediate suspension of all live animal exports for the duration of the FMD outbreak.
- A permanent prohibition on live animal exports, given the inherent cruelty involved and the biosecurity risks the trade poses to South Africa’s agricultural economy.
After the immense effort and cost required to control this outbreak, South Africa cannot afford a recurrence triggered by avoidable, high-risk practices. This is not merely an animal welfare issue. It is a national biosecurity, economic stability and governance issue.
Government must act decisively — before further damage is done.
Media Contact:
Michelle Taberer or Karen de Klerk
Stop Live Export South Africa
Email: connect@stopliveexport.co.za
Website: https://stopliveexport.co.za
Inky Dresner
T/a Soapbox Communications
Cell: (083) 297 7981
Email: inky@soapbox.co.za