Bird flu sees SA shift to US chicken imports
A local meat importer has welcomed a new trade
agreement between South Africa and the US on chicken imports.
South Africa has signed a one-year deal with the US to allow chicken imports, as long as they are safe from bird flu outbreaks.
South Africa has temporarily banned all Brazilian chicken imports, despite outbreaks being limited to one region.
Georg Southey of the Pinetown-based Merlog Foods said the flexible policy should be extended to other key suppliers, especially Brazil.
Southey has warned that the ban threatens millions of low-cost meals, as Brazil supplies most of the mechanically deboned meat.
READ: Brazil says bird flu outbreak contained
"It's encouraging that the Department of Agriculture has now formally requested technical information from Brazil to lift the current ban on chicken imports," said Southey.
"I call on authorities to act with speed once they receive the relevant information. We expect this announcement within the coming week, mechanically deboned.
"Chickenimported from Brazil is an important ingredient in Polony and Sausages and is needed by millions of food-insecure South Africans to avoid a hunger crisis."
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