The National Biosecurity Hub, a key component of Innovation Africa @UP, recently hosted the National Biosecurity 2025 Summit. Launched in October 2022, the National Biosecurity Hub is a joint initiative between the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Science and Technology. Its overarching aim is to provide sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) capacity-building, information, and research services to both public and private sector clients, thereby strengthening South Africa’s biosecurity systems and supporting compliance with international trade requirements.
A highlight of the event was a presentation by Professor Andrew Robinson from CEBRA in Australia. He shared insights from Australia’s approach to biosecurity management, emphasising a pragmatic model that begins with real-world challenges at the border. Rather than academia and regulators creating theoretical ‘solutions looking for problems’, Australia focused on designing policies and systems that are implementable, effective, and minimally disruptive to trade. He underscored the importance of ensuring that border controls do not unnecessarily hinder industry or commerce. Prof. Robinson also offered a poignant reminder: If universities fail to serve and remain accountable to broader society, their relevance and sustainability will be at risk.
The Minister of Agriculture, Mr John Steenhuisen, attended the event and, in his address, emphasised the critical importance of robust biosecurity systems, particularly in light of ongoing and widespread foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks.
