SA Ag News: Nampo Cape, FMD Outbreak, and SARS Ruling

FarmersWeekly.co.za reports that leading agricultural organisations, thousands of producers, and more than 500 exhibitors are expected to gather in Bredasdorp, Western Cape, later this year for Nampo Cape 2026, according to the event’s organisers. Taking place from 9 to 12 September under the theme ‘Together We Grow’, this year’s expo will focus on collaboration, innovation, and practical solutions to strengthen South African agriculture’s competitiveness and long-term sustainability. According to Dr Dirk Strydom, managing director of Nampo, the theme reflects the growing importance of partnerships across the agricultural value chain, bringing together producers, agribusinesses, researchers, service providers, financiers, policymakers, and rural communities to address shared opportunities and challenges. The Free State’s foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak continues to expand, with the province recently confirming eight new cases and organised agriculture warning that vaccine shortages, delayed booster vaccinations, and under-reporting remain major obstacles to containing the disease. According to a media statement issued by the Free State Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environmental Affairs on 17 July, the latest clinically confirmed cases detected are two in the Boshof state veterinary area and six in the Smithfield state veterinary area. This brings the total number of confirmed cases in the province to 687 across 19 local municipalities. The department said 181 outbreaks had been successfully resolved. A Western Cape High Court ruling that money placed in a structured self-insurance account is not tax-deductible could have implications for farmers using similar products and diminish the appeal of a tool designed to help agribusinesses build reserves against climate, disease, and market-related losses. The Western Cape High Court recently ruled that R9,6 million placed by Meiring Citrus in a Santam structured self-insurance product is not tax-deductible. The court overturned an earlier Tax Court ruling in the citrus producer’s favour, confirmed an additional assessment raised by the South African Revenue Service (SARS), and reinstated a 10% understatement penalty.