By Lebogang Mashala
Hume International CEO Fred Hume has urged the government to clarify its stance and provide guidance on how it intends to respond to the announcement that Brazil has voluntarily halted poultry exports to some countries after a case of Newcastle disease was found in Rio Grande do Sul.
Expressing worries about the potential impact of further outbreaks on South Africa’s poultry imports and food supply chains, Hume called for urgent policy reforms and greater consistency from the Department of Agriculture.
“Unfortunately, South Africa has some of the most stringent policies in the world, which are out of touch with global norms and standards,” he said. “Our local policies often lead to a nationwide ban on all poultry imports from countries where bird flu may have been detected.”
Hume emphasised the need for clear policies and consistent regulatory practices. He pointed out, for example, that regulations on Newcastle disease prohibit imports from within 10 km of affected facilities.
“However, the specific details and application of these regulations are unclear, causing uncertainty for importers and other key players in the food industry like manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and restaurant franchises.”
It was worth noting, he said, that while Newcastle disease is highly contagious among birds, it poses a negligible threat to humans. “Human infections are uncommon and typically asymptomatic, and the disease primarily endangers local poultry populations due to its high mortality rate among chickens.”
According to Hume, it is inconsistent to have a relaxed approach to Newcastle disease while being strict with bird flu. He said there was a need for a balanced, consistent policy that uses a reasonable and scientifically supported quarantine radius.
“For instance, Europe applies a 30 km radius restriction. Moreover, South Africa already implements a regionalisation policy for chicken imports from the US, targeting specific states in cases of bird flu.
“Therefore, the Department of Agriculture could extend this policy approach to other countries such as Brazil and Canada.”
Hume also emphasised the potential benefits of implementing a heat-treatment protocol for poultry, similar to the protocol used for pork to manage porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome.
“The heat-treatment protocol has proven effective for pork imports. Applying it to poultry could likewise mitigate the risks associated with diseases like Newcastle and bird flu,” he said.
“This would involve importing the product and ensuring it undergoes heat treatment at approved facilities, thus eliminating any potential threat before the poultry enters the market.”
He also stressed the importance of clear communication and proactive measures from the Department of Agriculture. “The industry needs certainty and forewarning. If the department can declare its position upfront and provide guidance on how it would act in case of outbreaks, it would greatly assist our planning and help us to mitigate business disruptions.
“Furthermore, the inconsistency in policy implementation across different ports needs addressing. We’ve seen varying applications of legislation from port to port. Establishing a uniform, transparent approach would eliminate much of the current uncertainty and confusion.”
Hume said any prolonged disruptions could lead to shortages, particularly in mechanically deboned meat and chicken livers, which are critical for school feeding schemes.
“The market is already tight, and any delay in shipments can result in shortages and factory downtimes, affecting thousands of jobs and increasing chicken prices at a time when local households are already under enormous financial strain,” he said.
“It now falls on our new leaders in government to take action by creating a clear, supportive regulatory framework with modernised policies that will safeguard businesses and supply chains, as well as end-consumers.”
