THE outbreak of contagious avian influenza known as bird flu not only threatens food security, but could also cripple the poultry industry.
The latest Poultry Bulletin by the South African Poultry Association (SAPS) says the virus has spread from Europe to North America, and is creeping through across South America to Brazil, the world’s largest poultry exporter.
According to the association, starting in February 2023, Mzansi will ban Argentine poultry products, leaving out Brazil which is not affected but is surrounded by countries with outbreaks.
The last outbreak in Mzansi happened in 2021 and 2022, in which nearly four million chickens were culled and 2,4% of the flock was destroyed, according to the association.
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On Monday, 24 April, Daily Sun spoke to several local business owners and poultry farmers in Gauteng who are walking on pins and needles as this could affect their businesses.
The general manager of Chef Poza Zama Zwane said that she would suffer the most because her business is a shisa nyama.
Fred Hume, managing director of Hume International, said imported chickens are an important addition to local production to meet local demand.
“For example, Hume International alone imported roughly 60 000 metric tons of poultry last year, while South Africa as a whole imported three times as much poultry as it exported in terms of nominal value.
“As a result, the global bird flu outbreak is posing a significant risk to the country’s food security, especially given the dependence of many households on chicken as an affordable protein,” Fred said.
Babalwa Jukuja, the owner of Snama Delights Enterprise, a poultry farm, said the bird flu that hit South Africa last year has affected her business because she relies on a supplier for chicken.
Ntsakisi Nkuna, a small poultry farmer who focuses on growing boiler chickens, advised farmers to be aware of the diseases and signs.
"You need to know what diseases can affect your farm. If you notice anything strange, you need to call the department to have inspectors come check," she said.
National health department spokesman Doctor Tshwale said that no reports of the virus had been received in the country at this time and that they would continue to monitor the situation.
He said should there be any reports, they will be directed on how to act thereafter
