CHICKEN IMPORTS SORTED

DESPITE 70 reported cases of bird flu in the United States, South Africa has approved a special, year-long arrangement to import American chicken.

This comes as all poultry products have been banned from entering the US, including from Mzansi.

SA has lost 100 million animal protein meals a week since mid-May after imports from Brazil were halted, following Brazil’s first-ever confirmed case of bird flu.

Merlog Foods, a chicken importer, has welcomed the agreement with the US, said General Manager Georg Southey.

Southey said in a statement: “SA’s Department of Agriculture has, in a welcome move, approved a special, year-long arrangement with the USA that allows for a more dynamic trade response to avian influenza or bird flu outbreaks ensuring a continued supply of chicken imports into SA, thus increasing food security.”

The US’s Center for Disease Control (CDC) has logged 24 incidences of the deadly virus at poultry farms and culling operations.

Overall, the CDC said that there were 70 cases in the US, with 64 of these detected through targeted H5 surveillance.

However, Southey said that the deal ensures that chicken is only exported to SA from safe areas.

The agreement was publicised in a letter released this week by the Department of Agriculture, and it “empowers the US to manage its own internal chicken trade restrictions by state, depending on the presence or absence of bird flu outbreaks.”