SA poultry industry faces uncertainty despite Brazil's avian flu declaration

FARMING associations across South Africa are cautiously optimistic following Brazil's announcement earlier this week that it has declared itself free of the recent avian flu outbreak.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

This declaration comes in the wake of the Department of Agriculture lifting its ban on the import of poultry and poultry products from Brazil, though only partially.

The ban had initially been enforced after the outbreak was contained to one state in Brazil.

South African meat producers on Thursday raised red flags, however, cautioning that despite this promising news, a shortage of Mechanically Deboned Meat (MDM) was still anticipated in the local market.

Francois Rossouw, CEO of Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai), said Brazil would need to provide sufficient evidence on their Avian Flu health for the department to completely lift the ban on poultry.