Looming meat crisis in South Africa

SOUTH Africa faces a potential meat supply crisis as the government implements emergency measures to contain foot-and-mouth disease while grappling with halted poultry imports from Brazil due to bird flu.

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These twin challenges threaten to disrupt the availability of beef and chicken - staples for millions, particularly the poor. The situation demands urgent action to stabilise supply, prevent price surges and protect food security.

The decision to mass-vaccinate poultry marks a critical step in mitigating the bird flu risk, but the immediate suspension of Brazilian chicken imports a major source of affordable meat - leaves a gap local producers may struggle to fill.