South Africa partially lifts poultry import ban from Brazil, producers rejoice

POULTRY product producers and agriculture associations have welcomed the news by the Department of Agriculture that it has partially lifted the ban on imports of poultry and poultry products from Brazil from Thursday.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

The ban was imposed due to an outbreak of Avian flu in Brazil. The Department of Agriculture has since said that the ban has been contained to one state in Brazil.

Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen announced that South Africa will partially lift the suspension on imports of all poultry and poultry products from Brazil, effective on Thursday.

"This decision follows the receipt of a second report from Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, confirming that the outbreak has been contained to a single state," Steenhuisen said. "However, this partial lifting remains conditional and may be revoked if the outbreak is found to have spread to other states within Brazil."

Georg Southey, the manager at Merlog Foods, said this decision was a welcome and necessary move.