27 February 2020: Beefmaster Group, a leading specialist producer and exporter of quality beef products, welcomes the announcement by Finance Minister Tito Mboweni in yesterday’s Budget that government has allocated R495.1 million to the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development to improve compliance with biosecurity and support exports.

“We believe that investing in more formal traceability structures and prioritising biosecurity will protect the beef industry and support South Africa’s beef exports, ultimately resulting in access to more global markets,” says Roelie van Reenen, supply chain executive at Beefmaster Group.

Van Reenen says that measures such as this will encourage all parties to prioritise the health of the national herd. 

“The commitment by government will improve the biosecurity of the country and the health of the animal economy, which will in turn ensure that the meat industry remains profitable, a stable source of revenue, and continues to provide job security,” he concludes.

South Africa’s livestock industry is worth approximately R81bn.

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