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A week after Brazilian authorities reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) of the H5N1 subtype on 15 May, South African authorities suspended the importation of all live poultry, eggs, and fresh (including frozen) poultry meat from the South American country on Wednesday, 21 May.
However, the South African National Department of Agriculture, will still allow the import of consignments that were packed in their final packages before 30 April 2025. Heat-processed poultry products will also still be imported as the risk of transmitting the virus has been mitigated, according to a departmental press release.
An urgent meeting between the two countries’ chief veterinary officers were held on 19 May to obtain an update on the Brazilian outbreak and deploy a disease-control strategy. During the meeting the parties agreed that Brazil will provide additional information for South Africa’s consideration.
No shortages expected
Earlier this week Gary Arnold, CEO of the integrated poultry company Astral Foods, mentioned during the release of this company’s half year financial results that a suspension of Brazilian poultry imports would not lead to a local shortage of poultry products, even though most local chicken imports did come from that country.
“The local industry would be able to supply in the majority of a possible shortage,” Arnold said, adding that the only potential problem was mechanically deboned meat (MDM), which was a product that was not manufactured locally. About 60% of MDM poultry products in South Africa are imported from Brazil.
Arnold said the reason why a border closure was a good idea was not so much about potential risk to the local broiler flock, but rather a good idea in terms of international trade. As several other countries had closed their borders, it could potentially harm the South African industry if a surplus of Brazilian poultry found its way to the local market.
As HPAI is a disease that mainly affects mature hens, it’s impact on the broiler industry was relatively minor, because it is mostly parent and grandparent stock that is at risk of infection. However, this does not make it a negligent risk, Arnold emphasised.
If the South African government could rethink its current stance surrounding vaccination of poultry it would be a game changer, Arnold added. “Astral is currently in our ninth round of applying for vaccination. The rules as set out in November 2023 are incredibly strict and almost impossible to adhere to.”
However, even if vaccination did become readily available to the industry, Arnold said the industry would need to remember that this would merely be a tool and not a magic bullet. “It would still need to be used in an environment where the strictest of biosecurity is practised.” – Susan Marais, Plaas Media
