Last year, South Africa experienced its worst bird flu outbreak, resulting in the loss of over 10 million chickens. This catastrophe sent shockwaves throughout the poultry industry, affecting all producers.

The outbreak and subsequent culling efforts have had profound implications, not just for the industry's economic health but also for the country's food security.

The impact of this outbreak was severe. The culling of nearly 10 million chickens, necessitated by the outbreak, placed a significant financial burden on producers. Despite these challenges, the resilience of South African poultry producers shone through as they managed to avert a shortage in the chicken supply. However, concerns remain high regarding the potential for another outbreak, especially in the absence of a robust vaccination programme.

South Africa faces a unique challenge with bird flu due to its particular strain, H7, which accounted for over 80% of last year’s chicken deaths. Unlike the internationally prevalent H5 strain, which has an approved vaccine, the H7 strain still lacks a vaccine. This gap leaves the industry vulnerable to future outbreaks.

The government's stringent requirements for vaccination present additional hurdles. Producers need government-issued permits to vaccinate their flocks, which involves navigating a complex and rigorous approval process. This bureaucratic red tape, coupled with the high costs of biosecurity measures and subsequent testing programmes, has led to calls for intervention from key stakeholders.

Fair Play, an advocacy group, has urged former Agriculture Minister and current Speaker of Parliament, Thoko Didiza, to streamline the vaccination approval process. 

Chicken farmers may fear reporting #birdflu cases due to lack of compensation for culled birds. South Africa has to catch up to the rest of the world and follow best practice - compensate farmers!https://t.co/PZNLgJmZjX

— FairPlay (@FairPlayZA) June 18, 2024

“We understand that the government thinks certain processes must be followed strictly, but we also think that the biosecurity measures required to be administered before vaccinations, however rigorous and expensive, are essential. Making it too complicated and burdensome will hinder vaccination efforts,” Francois Baird, the founder of Fair Play, stated.

The poultry industry warns that without a comprehensive vaccination programme, the sector faces another potential disaster. South Africa’s poultry industry is among the most competitive globally, consistently ranking in the top five or six for efficiency. However, continued government withholding of compensation for culling could undermine this resilience. Smaller farmers particularly, who might be reluctant to cull infected flocks without compensation, could exacerbate the spread of bird flu.

Financial compensation remains a critical issue. Despite policies that provide for compensation, the actual process is fraught with difficulties. Farmers often find their culled chickens are deemed ineligible for compensation, leaving them with substantial losses. A more effective and reliable compensation policy is urgently needed to support farmers in managing outbreaks and maintaining industry stability.  

‘Recent arrests of chicken smugglers highlight the need for better regulation’

“There’s a bizarre situation at the moment where the government’s policy makes provision for compensation, but when farmers apply, the chickens that have been culled are regarded as null and void, and therefore they don’t get compensated,” Baird highlighted.

Additionally, the industry requires greater government support to boost exports and protect against unfair trade practices. Recent arrests of chicken smugglers highlight the need for better regulation and enforcement to safeguard the local industry from illegal imports. "We need to better protect what comes into South Africa against what comes in egregiously,” Baird emphasised.

Thoko Didiza, Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, said her department will be more efficient at issuing import permits for egg products as the highly contagious avian influenza causes egg shortages in northern South Africa.

READ: https://t.co/di3p561Cku pic.twitter.com/NBWMFMQNUp

— African Farming (@africanfarming_) October 4, 2023

Looking ahead, it is crucial for the government to revise its approach to vaccination, increase the number of state veterinarians, and foster closer cooperation with the poultry industry. Effective compensation mechanisms must be implemented, and supportive measures must be put in place to enhance the industry's resilience and ensure the availability of affordable chicken for South African consumers.

The future of South Africa's poultry industry hinges on addressing these challenges decisively. By implementing a comprehensive vaccination programme, providing adequate compensation, and enhancing regulatory measures, the industry can protect itself from future outbreaks and continue to thrive as a cornerstone of the national economy. "If we want cheaper chicken in South Africa, which is what everyone wants, vaccination is vital for the future," Baird concluded.

OFM Agri/Robyn Schutte cg