SA ostrich exports to take time to recover

SOUTH AFRICA - The ostrich industry in South Africa has welcomed Tuesday's announcement by Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs Thoko Didiza, declaring the country free of avian influenza.

However, it warned that this does not translate into an automatic resumption of ostrich-product exports.

Last year, the European Union, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mozambique banned ostrich imports from South Africa after an outbreak of avian flu in two of the country's provinces. Before the ban, South Africa supplied about 70% of the world's ostrich meat, producing about 1 000 tonnes a year.

"This devastating disease was discovered in ostriches in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces of the country last year. Thanks to the assistance of all the role players and stakeholders, it was possible for South Africa to eradicate this worldwide epidemic threat from the country," said Didiza, in her statement.

Source: mg.co.za

14 September 2005