Border Bottlenecks and Biosecurity: A Turning Point for Local Producers

This update focuses on critical regulatory and infrastructure changes aimed at securing the future of African trade and biosecurity. The High Court in Pretoria has set a strict April 17, 2026, deadline for the Minister of Agriculture to formalize a national foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) health scheme following legal action by industry bodies. Meanwhile, the African Seed Trade Association is pushing for digital certification to eliminate border bottlenecks, even as the pork industry grapples with the fallout of biosecurity failures that led to mass cullings.