Question NW2481 to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesQUESTION
13 September 2017 - NW2481
Steyn, Ms A to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesQUESTION
(1) Whether any funding has been set aside to deal with the recent outbreak of Avian Influenza in the country; if not, why not; if so, how much funding has been set aside; (2) whether his department has put any measures in place to protect the country’s (a) poultry and (b) ostrich industries from the effects of the Avian Influenza outbreak; if not, why not, in each case; if so, (i) what are the relevant details of the measures that have been put in place and (ii) will he furnish Ms A Steyn with a copy of his department’s strategy in this regard; (3) whether (a) poultry and (b) ostrich farmers will receive compensation when they are called upon to cull birds; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2738E
Reply:
1. The Department has not set aside any funds for the recent Avian Influenza outbreak. The Department has however requested Ministers Committee on the Budget (MINCOMBUD) for funds to be allocated for the control of the outbreak and for paying compensation.
2. (a) (b) The industries have been advised to improve their biosecurity measures to prevent introduction of avian influenza into their establishments through direct and indirect contact with wild birds.
The Department has a Contingency Plan (attachment A) for the control of Avian Influenza which was signed into effect in 2009; there has been slight modification in the implementation considering the evolution of science in the last 7 years.
As soon as Avian Influenza cases were reported in Zimbabwe, a meeting was held with the poultry vets and companies on 9 June 2017 to discuss the then situation in Zimbabwe and sharpen our preparedness; it was highlighted in this meeting that all facilities need to improve their biosecurity measures.
Another meeting was held with the Poultry vets on 29 June 2017 following the first two cases in South Africa where the contingency plan was discussed.
The Directorate continues to meet with the South African Poultry Association (SAPA), the Poultry Disease Management Agency of SAPA and the executive of the South African Veterinary Association’s poultry interest group on a weekly basis (unless members are not available). These meetings focus on pertinent issues with regards to the control measures, market access, etc.
At the beginning of the outbreak, the Department had suspended the sale and distribution of culls in an attempt to curb further spread of the disease since layer farms had been affected, and the extent of the outbreak was not yet known at that time. The necessary control measures have subsequently been put in place with the help of the South African Poultry Association.
Attached are letters (attachment B and C) which have been sent to the Provincial Directors outlining the control measures.
3. (a) (b)The Department will not compensate birds culled which are infected or have been in contact with poultry infected with HPAI. Chickens infected with HPAI show an extremely high mortality rate within a very short period and no part of the carcasses can be used for any purpose except for the production of compost on site. The value of infected poultry is zero. Eggs from infected sites must be destroyed as per the instruction on the quarantine notice and such eggs are also considered to have no value.
Detailed guidelines on how compensation will be applied for the culling of uninfected birds are currently being developed.