DA demands government’s urgent interventions to procure vaccines and financial assistance to save the poultry industry
9 October 2023
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng demands urgent interventions by the national government to procure vaccines for the poultry industry, which has been severely affected by the avian flu (bird flu) virus outbreak.
We also call on the Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, and the Gauteng MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mbali Hlophe, to provide financial assistance to poultry farmers suffering from this virus affecting the industry as well as for the hundreds of workers facing retrenchment.
Gauteng is the epicentre of the poultry industry, and thousands of people are dependent on this industry for food and employment.
According to statistics from the Poultry Association, it is estimated that in Gauteng, over 11 million chickens have been affected by the avian flu outbreak, with over 3.8 million chickens that have been culled, with these numbers rising daily.
During a recent briefing by the National Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza, the department indicated their willingness to obtain vaccines abroad, using Section 21 of the Medicines Act to grant access to an unregistered medicine.
This is used in emergencies where conventional therapies have been ruled out, have failed, or are unavailable as marketed products. Not all countries have vaccines for the virulent H7 virus, so it will be essential that the department ensures that countries with a tested H7 vaccine are urgently approached to save the poultry sector in South Africa.
The limited availability of eggs and chicken has already been experienced by consumers, resulting in a radical increase in prices for these products. This will affect other products and businesses further down the consumer line that depend on eggs and chicken meat for their end products.
This outbreak has once again put food security in jeopardy and put the jobs of our residents who work in the industry on the line. We will continue to pressure the government to assist the poultry industry for the benefit of the Gauteng economy.
Issued by Bronwynn Engelbrecht, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC For Agriculture and Rural Development, 9 October 2023
