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Agri podcast: Cage-free poultry system considered in South Africa

───   ELSABÉ RICHARD 14:46 Fri, 12 Aug 2022

Agri podcast: Cage-free poultry system considered in South Africa | News Article

The viability and sustainability of a cage-free poultry system in South Africa has recently come into the spotlight.

A study that was conducted by the National Agricultural Marketing Council, showed that such a policy would see a spike in prices and the loss of thousands of jobs in the poultry industry. The World Organisation for Animal Health started a campaign in 2019 to pressurise countries to move away from cage systems for chickens due to animal welfare concerns. However, currently 94% of South Africa’s layer hens are being kept in cages, 5% in a cage-free system, and only 1% in a shed. Adding to this, the editor of Farmer's Weekly, Janine Ryan says that a direct investment of R4.93 billion would also be necessary to convert South Africa to a cage-free system.

Small stock farmers are advised that losses of vulnerable livestock and crops can be expected due to the combination of very cold, windy and wet conditions in the Calvinia area in the Northern Cape this weekend. The South African Weather Service further warns that the weak and frail may also be vulnerable during this cold weather, since their bodies won't be able to retain heat as easily. This warning comes as the weather service also stated that residents in the Free State should brace themselves for very cold weather conditions this Sunday. Maximum temperatures are expected to only reach up to 16 degrees in some parts. Residents are also warned of strong winds that could contribute to the spreading of veld fires. Johan Breytenbach from the Free State Umbrella Fire Protection Association urged landowners to be vigilant.

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The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development confirms that it has managed to negotiate a settlement that will see the clearing of citrus containers stuck at ports of entry in the European Union (EU). The department shares that it has managed to clear more than 300 of the 509 containers and is processing the clearance of the remaining containers. This follows after the EU introduced new measures to regulate risks associated with False Codling Moth on citrus fruit. The new measures include amended additional phytosanitary declarations for grapefruit and soft citrus and revised the cold treatment regime for oranges.




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