BMA seizes illegal veterinary medicines at Polokwane International Airport

The Border Management Authority (BMA) has intercepted a large consignment of illegally imported veterinary medicines at Polokwane International Airport, seizing 84kg of products believed to be in transit to Pietermaritzburg.

According to the Commissioner of the BMA, Dr Michael Masiapato, Port Agriculture officials stopped an aircraft arriving from Kenya and Tanzania on 26 November 2025 and discovered two polystyrene boxes containing veterinary medicines branded “Berenil”.

The consignment was refused entry because it did not have the required import permits in terms of Section 6 of the Animal Diseases Act 35 of 1984.

Following consultations with the Department of Agriculture, the medicines were confiscated and taken to the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute – Transboundary Animal Diseases Laboratory (OVI-TAD) for analysis.

Masiapato said the seizure comes at a time when South Africa is battling a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak, and authorities are tightening inspections to prevent harmful or untested products from entering the country.

“To that extent, we have strengthened vigilance and inspection services at the ports of entry to detect and intercept any illegal importation of untested biological and preventive veterinary products, including vaccines, that may be injurious or harmful to local primary animal producers and economic prospects,” he said.

He added that the attempt to smuggle vaccines and animal medicines into South Africa was a “significant breach” of veterinary and biosecurity regulations and was being treated with “utmost seriousness”.

FMD is a highly contagious viral livestock disease that affects cattle, sheep, goats, swine and other cloven-hoofed animals, with severe economic implications for the livestock sector and trade. South Africa uses specific vaccines procured only through the Botswana Vaccine Institute, which hosts the World Organisation for Animal Health’s regional reference laboratory for FMD.

Authorities warned that introducing foreign viral serotypes could undermine the Department of Agriculture’s intensive control measures. Farmers were urged to report any suspected cases to their local State Veterinarian, and reminded that the use of FMD vaccines outside state-approved channels is prohibited.

The BMA said its Port Agriculture unit remains committed to supporting the country’s disease control programmes and safeguarding biosecurity.