Concern over continued SA chicken imports

The Poultry Producers’ Association (PPA) has expressed concern that Namibia’s borders continue to be open for the importation of chicken from South Africa in the face of a widespread outbreak of avian flu in the neighbouring country.

PPA chairperson Rene Werner says the association is concerned that the disease could be imported into the country, with dire consequences for Namibia’s poultry industry.

“We are, however, engaging the department of veterinary services (DVS) on the way forward, because should there be an outbreak at a farm, the producer would be required to destroy all the livestock on that farm and suspend operations for three to four months,” he says.

Werner says some big operations would be forced to get rid of as many as three million chickens should an outbreak occur on their farm.

“While closing the border for the importation of chickens could present challenges for farmers, these would be short term and more manageable than the devastating consequences an outbreak would bring to the industry,” he says.

The South African Poultry Association (Sapa) has confirmed the outbreak of avian flu, resulting in a shortage of chicken and eggs as chickens are destroyed.

Sapa general manager Abongile Balarane says South Africa has been hit by a third cycle of avian flu and a new strain of the virus, called H7N6, has been discovered.

“This strain we have seen is catastrophic in the areas of Gauteng and Mpumalanga. To date, we have lost a significant number of chickens to both strains.

“We have lost more than 15% to 20% of the national production in South Africa,” he says.

“We will be able to restock the farms as soon the avian flu starts to diminish. Usually, it diminishes around October, closer to the warmer days.”

Allaying producers’ fears, Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform spokesperson Jona Musheko says the current outbreak is not new.

“We know about it and Namibia is currently importing from highly pathogenic avian influenza-free compartments in South Africa, which are under the supervision of the Veterinary Authority of South Africa,” he says.

Musheko says the standing agreement is that South Africa will not certify export poultry or poultry products from non-compliant establishments.

“However, we understand the concerns of the poultry industry in Namibia and the public, and our DVS is conducting investigations on the matter to take the necessary further precautionary measures,” he says.

The spokesperson of the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade Elijah Mukubonda said South Africa can halt the export of chickens from avian influenza infested areas, meaning that chickens from such areas will not be exported.

“However, it is the importing countries like Namibia who need to ban the importation of chickens from South Africa for health or safety reasons,” he said. – email: matthew@namibian.com.na