Agriculture
Sapa slams brining regulations as an "assault on the poor"─── SABRINA DEAN 14:02 Mon, 25 Apr 2016
Bloemfontei - The SA Poultry Association (Sapa) has warned that new brining regulations published by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries last week will make chicken unaffordable for many poor people.
Sapa said in a statement the association is also worried the new regulations will shrink the local poultry sector, increase unemployment and weaken the outlook for soya bean processing and maize production.
CEO Kevin Lovell claims the scientific, technical and economic information Sapa supplied on brining has essentially been ignored. Lovell says the changes to brining percentages allowed for Individually Quick Frozen, or IQF, portions in particular constitute an assault on the poor of South Africa.
According to the Department, Minister Senzeni Zokwana published the poultry meat regulation amendment in the Government Gazette on Friday.
The brine injection for whole carcasses has been lifted to a maximum 10% versus the previous prescribed maximum of 8%. The total brine injection limit for individual portions is now limited to a maximum of 15% where previously there was no limit.
Other amendments deal with labelling and testing requirements.
Sabrina Dean/OFM News
