End to mass culling: SA poultry farmers win right to vaccinate against bird flu

Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen has announced a major policy shift that will allow the use of vaccinations against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, in South Africa’s poultry industry.

By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming

The move follows a formal objection lodged by the South African Poultry Association (SAPA), which argued that existing disease-control measures were no longer practical or affordable for poultry producers. According to a media statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Steenhuisen has decided to amend the Animal Diseases Regulations to make provision for HPAI vaccinations as part of a broader disease-management strategy.

The minister says the decision was aimed at providing poultry producers with sustainable tools to protect their businesses while safeguarding jobs and food security.

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Moving Away from Mass Culling

The policy change follows recommendations contained in a report by a Section 23 Investigation Committee, which reviewed concerns raised by the poultry industry. Under previous disease-control measures, poultry producers were often required to destroy entire flocks when bird flu outbreaks occurred. Steenhuisen says the new approach would move the department’s strategy away from what he describes as the old “stamping-out” model – which legally required the destruction of both healthy and sick birds – and towards a state-regulated vaccination defence plan.

“Our poultry farmers need direct support, and we are changing policy to give them a legal mechanism to protect their livelihoods,” Steenhuisen says.

“The old regulations forced the industry to destroy flocks unnecessarily, which harmed agricultural businesses and raising food prices for consumers. By changing this policy, we are giving producers the legal right to use verified scientific tools to protect their farms, protect agricultural jobs and secure affordable food for the public.”

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What Will Change for Farmers?

The new HPAI Vaccination Framework will introduce a more comprehensive approach to disease management.

Instead of relying primarily on culling, poultry farmers will be expected to use a combination of vaccination, biosecurity measures and testing to manage outbreaks. This should reduce financial losses associated with widespread destruction of birds. Government will also either amend the existing Animal Diseases Regulations or introduce a formal Section 9 control measure to create a clear legal framework for outbreak managements.

This will help eliminate inconsistencies in disease-control enforcement and strengthen the ability to respond quickly to outbreaks.

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Chickens_credit Charl van Rooyen — Photo for illustrative purposes: Charl van Rooyen

Support for Commercial and Smallholder Farmers

The revised regulations are intended to accommodate both large commercial poultry operations and smaller producers. The new rules would create space for different categories of farmers to respond effectively to bird flu outbreaks while still meeting national disease-control requirements, according to the department.

Government’s role will include running national surveillance programmes, overseeing laboratory testing and ensuring compliance with disease-control regulations. Maintaining international trade standards and protecting market access will remain a priority as the new policy is implemented.

Interim Measures to be Introduced

Steenhuisen has instructed the Department of Agriculture to put interim control measures in place while the new policy framework is being formalised. He says the transition will be managed in an orderly manner and that a deadline has been set for publication in the Government Gazette.

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