April 1, 2015

 

 

South Africa will lift a ban on UK's poultry meat after it was implemented in response to an avian influenza outbreak at a Yorkshire duck farm last year.

 

The move will benefit poultry producers who have to deal with the shutoff to their main market for dark cuts of the meat. Previously, it is expected that imports will only resume after May 14 when the UK would be declared free of avian influenza.

 

Still, the suspension is a painful lesson to learn from. Máire Burnett of the British Poultry Council believes that there has to be a continual effort to convince nations to accept regionalisation, in order to mitigate similar impacts.

 

In addition, poultry slaughtered before February 22 will not be accepted, Burnett said.

 

Moreover, an end to the ban will ensure the survival of Northern Ireland's poultry industry.

 

"Our industry is a major employer and our poultry meat exports are a key tenet in achieving our growth targets", said Michelle O' Neill, the Northern Irish agricultural minister.