July 2019

Food safety a collective effort

Food safety is in the spotlight and will remain in the spotlight for times to come. The meat industry had its fair share in this regard with last year’s listeriosis outbreak. We learned a number of important lessons. The most important one is that food safety, specifically meat safety, is not the responsibility of any role player alone. 

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There is NO evidence that Swine Influenza occurs in pigs

There is no evidence that Swine Influenza (SI) occurs in pigs in South Africa, says Dr Peter Evans of SAPPO. Reacting to media reports, he says that his statement is based on not finding antibodies to SI during numerous country-wide serologic surveys. 

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No news is good news

Another week has passed with no cases of ASF being reported. Producers are however reminded to remain vigilant and keep up their high biosecurity procedures.

ASF communication strategy in the spotlight

The scenario strategist, Chantell Ilbury, facilitated a workshop at the SAPPO offices in Pretoria to assist the organisation to compile a comprehensive communication strategy on ASF for the informal and formal pig market. Messages, media and target audiences were identified. These will now be refined by SAPPO team. 

Data: What does pork producers have to say?

Karl Dinkelmann of AccTech will be the keynote speaker at SAPPO’s 2019 AGM & Conference. But what are SAPPO’s data needs? Dinkelmann had a brief session with SAPPO members this week to establish these requirements. And the farmers had their say. On the photograph are from left (back) Karl Dinkelmann, Nico Scheltema (SAPPO), Shaun Mockford (Limpopo), Stephen Butt (KZN) and Charl Braak (Gauteng). Front: Isabel Bröcker (SAPPO) and CP Kriek (Free State).

Relations with the WC government going places.

Dr Cilliers Louw (SAPPO Western Cape), says his relationship with the authorities in the Western Cape is progressing. He is forging strong links with the Western Cape department of agriculture and its sub-directorate, farmer support and development. The photograph was taken at the departments annual symposium. From left are Jerry Arries from the directorate, farmer support and development, Dr Mogale Sebopetsa (who received his Phd) and Dr Cilliers Louw (SAPPO)

Tippie says goodbye

Tippie Marais of Phibro Animal Health died on 10 July of complications after a motor vehicle accident on 25 June. According to Anette Rossouw, a former colleague at Hipra, Tippie will be remembered for his jovial, talkative personality.

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Pork will sparkle in Soweto

SAPPO, Lynca, Roots Butcheries and Orchard Bounty and Crown National Spices will present the Roots Park Festival at Roots Butchery, Protea Gardens, Soweto next week to promote pork. Various pork tastings will be provided, and pork hampers are up for grabs.

Say your say

Thoko Didiza has been appointed the new minister of agriculture, land reform and rural development. She held the post of minister of agriculture and land affairs from 1999 to 2006. Are you positive about her appointment? Mail “yes” or “no” or “maybe” to derick@greenpepper.biz. You are welcome to briefly motivate your answer. Feedback in next weeks’ SAPPO Weekly Update.

CS Vet's Pic of the Month

Does your photograph has what it takes to be CS Vet’s Pic of the Month? CS Vet will sponsor a cash prize of R500 for the best photograph of the month. The winner will also receive a goody bag from SAPPO and our input suppliers. Any pig, pork or piggery related photograph or of the people involved in the piggery will do. Only one photograph per mail please. Send entries to derick@greenpepper.biz.

SAPPO AGM: Your last chance to register

The deadline for SAPPO’s AGM has been extended to next Friday, 2 August.
• Click here to access the registration form.
• To wet your appetite, here is the AGM programme. See you at Misty Hills.

Huge potential for livestock exports, but biosecurity nonnegotiable

Agriculture has been identified as one of the sectors that will ignite growth and job creation in South Africa. This will be export-led, but for export  activity to take off, biosecurity is key, said Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist of Agbiz. 

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NAHF: Progress, but still much to be done

Dr Pieter Vervoort, chairman of the National Animal Health Forum (NAHF), said at a media briefing last week that although the NAHF has made good progress since its inception thirteen years ago, there is still great room for improvement.

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Most read in last week's SAPPO Weekly Update

SAPPO’s updated ASF report, ASF could change the world’s protein situation forever, ASF: Africa is sitting on a time bomb, SAPPO AGM & Conference 2019: Don’t miss this one! Opens: South Africa (354), USA (27), UK (16), Ireland (9), the Netherlands (7), Mozambique (5) and Finland (4). Read Update

We have a new web address

The address of SAPPO’s infohub has changed to www.sappo.org. New on the site: South Africa’s carbon tax matters; Flies can play a role in transmitting ASF into farms; Gangs in China fake outbreaks of African swine fever; ASF could change the world’s protein situation forever. Visit site

Tyson sued over deceptive advertising

Consumers have been misled, claim two consumer advocacy groups who have sued Tyson Foods, over the meat packer’s environmental practices. Read more

Farmers earn more from YouTube than crops

It’s a sign of the times when farmers make more money advocating for the industry on social media than actually farming. Read more

AI courses to be presented in the next months

SAPPO’s Baynesfield Training Academy and PIC will present a training course on AI in Richmond, Natal in August. This will be a practical, as well as a theoretical course.
Read more. PIC will also present an AI course at Niemen Stud in Magaliesburg on 15 and 16 October. Read more 

Registrations now open for AFMA's 2019 Symposium

Registrations are now open for AFMA’s 2019 Symposium. The Symposium will take place on 29 October 2019 in the Diamond Auditorium of the CSIR International Convention in Pretoria.
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Trade show highlights potential global markets

The Global Trade Show of Networking and Matchmaking South Africa 2019, which will take place in Midrand nest week, is a trade and business fair offering an excellent opportunity for everyone to access the South African and Continental markets. It also highlights potential global markets for local buyers. Read more

Stay in touch

If you want to subscribe to SAPPO News, send your email address to derick@greenpepper.biz. We will also include you on our subscriber list of SAPPO’s weekly updates. To subscribe to our magazine, Porcus, send your postal address to the address above.