The Animal Movement Logger is critical in ensuring traceability, regulatory compliance, and enhanced biosecurity within the South African pork industry. This essential tool, available to all producers registered on the World of Pork, facilitates the documentation and monitoring of pig movements, underpinning confidence in South African pork products’ safety and ethical production.
Participation and compliance
While participation in the movement logger is open to all registered producers, it is compulsory for Pork 360 certification scheme members. Logging movements are now required to meet the certification programme’s new farm standard.
The logger tracks three primary movement channels:
- Producer to abattoir – Mandatory for all pigs sent for processing.
- Producer to producer – Facilitates transfers between different pig producers.
- Production unit to production unit – Ensures internal movements within a single business are properly documented.
Movements are categorised into two types:
- Quick movements – Basic movement information.
- Detailed movements – Includes additional regulatory information in alignment with the Meat Safety Act (40 of 2000) and the Livestock Theft Act (57 of 1959).
Pig movements during October 2024
- Total movements recorded: 1 238
- Total animals moved: 283 287 pigs
Breakdown of movements:
- To abattoirs: 171 405 pigs
- To other producers: 21 173 pigs
- Between production units: 90 709 pigs
Notably, the share of logged pig movements to abattoirs compared to national slaughters reached 48,7% during September 2024, highlighting the system’s growing adoption.
Movements from Pork 360 farms
With 97 784 sows certified under the Pork 360 certification scheme, producing an average of 26 pigs per sow to be marketed annually, the estimated average weekly movements based on two litters of pigs per sow per year are:
- 48 892 pigs to be moved per week
- Approximately 300 truckloads (based on 170 pigs per truck, on average)
During the second week of October 2024, the movement logger recorded 10 829 animals moved to abattoirs, equivalent to 88 truckloads.
Call to action
As the pork industry embraces digital transformation, the Animal Movement Logger exemplifies the power of innovation in driving sustainable practices. Looking ahead, its pivotal role in improving biosecurity, ensuring compliance, and bolstering consumer confidence will continue to expand. Producers are encouraged to adopt this tool fully, ensuring a resilient and transparent pork industry for the future.
Stay updated, stay compliant, and build a more robust, sustainable pork value chain together.
