As the avian flu outbreak continues to impact farmers across the country, Deputy President Paul Mashatile announced that the government will use a portion of the R3.5 billion agricultural scheme to provide much-needed support.
South Africa is currently battling an outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) with confirmed cases of the HPAI H7 and HPAI H5 strains.
During May and June, millions of birds were culled to curb the spread of the virus. In a session of the National Council of Provinces, Mashatile revealed that Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Thoko Didiza is expected to announce a relief package from the multi-billion rand scheme.
The scheme, which amounts to R3.5 billion, will provide support to farmers affected by the avian flu outbreak. However, the details of the support are still being discussed by the Treasury to ensure its effectiveness. Mashatile emphasized that all affected farmers, especially small-scale farmers, will be compensated.
In addition to financial support, the government is also assisting with vaccines. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development is working to fast-track the registration of vaccines to ensure that farmers can receive them promptly and effectively combat the avian flu problem.
Meanwhile, Minister Didiza has granted thousands of permits for the importation of eggs and poultry meat to ensure sufficient stocks are available for the holiday season. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development is actively working with stakeholders in the poultry industry to contain the outbreak of bird flu.
According to spokesperson Reggie Ngcobo, Minister Didiza has made the decision to allow the importation of table and fertilized eggs, as well as poultry meat, to ensure that there are enough stocks available for the Christmas holiday season.
Since September 1, 2023, the department has granted 115 permits for fertilized eggs, 48 for egg powder, 2,406 for poultry meat, and 24 permits for table eggs. Each permit can be for up to 10,000 tons or a shipping container.
