Call to lift poultry ban on areas free of bird flu

The plan includes expanding veterinary service capacity and creating FMD-free livestock compartments to secure supply chains.

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The poultry industry is further challenged by the recent business rescue of Daybreak Foods, one of South Africa’s largest integrated poultry producers, which had to cull 350000 chicks amid financial difficulties.

This has compounded supply pressures on chicken products.

Arnold Prinsloo, CEO of Eskort, South Africa’s leading antibiotic-free meat producer, described the combined impacts of the FMD outbreak, Brazilian import suspension and Daybreak’s crisis as a “triple whammy” for food security.

“Meat is going to be more expensive for everyone this winter, but many people will also face the threat of hunger and malnutrition,” Prinsloo said.