The Department of Agriculture, Land, Farm and Rural Development of South Africa has informed potential exporters that trade restrictions, unjustifiably imposed on the U.S. applying a pretext of avian influenza, have been lifted.
South Africa has consistently used avian influenza as a trade barrier. This policy to protect the domestic industry has rebounded given the extensive outbreaks of both H5 and H7 avian influenza. Although mortality has not been as high in the broiler sector as in table egg production, a shortage of chicken has developed. This is embarrassing to the ruling African National Congress party that faces a contentious National election between May and August 2024 following 30 years of failure to advance the wellbeing of the Nation’s population. The chicken in every pot principle is apparently universal to all politicians.