Meat importers call on govt to reopen for poultry imports from countries free of avian flu
JOHANNESBURG - The Association of Meat Importers is calling for the Agriculture Department to reopen poultry imports from countries free from avian influenza.
Since May 16, South Africa has imposed a ban on its primary poultry supplier, Brazil, owing to an outbreak of avian flu.
ALSO READ: DFFE warns that avian influenza may have reached Marion Island
This has forced the government to look towards countries like Sweden, Denmark and Belgium, which are unaffected by the outbreak.
CEO of Meat Importers Association, Imameleng Mothebe, said, "Opening access to each additional AI-free market will help stabilise prices, ensure availability of affordable protein, safeguard jobs in the process and ensure our country is future-proofed of avian influenza supply shortages."
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