August 19, 2004

Uganda Bans South African Poultry

The Ministry of Agriculture in Uganda will soon issue a formal statement banning the importation of chicken and eggs from South Africa following an outbreak of bird flu in that country.

"The Minister will soon issue a ban on poultry and poultry products from South Africa," the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Mr. David Obong, told The Monitor on Monday.

Uganda will be the second country in this region after Tanzania indefinitely suspended importation of the products on Friday last week. The European Union and Switzerland banned imports of ostrich meat from South Africa, the world's biggest exporter of the product.

Market analysts said the ban could result in an increase in the price of chicken and eggs owing to insufficient local supply. But Ugachick Poultry Breeders, the main supplier of chicken around Kampala, claimed that they have the capacity to supply the market when the ban takes effect.

"We supply frozen chicken to Rwanda, Congo, Ethiopia and Tanzania. Although the demand may be abrupt, we shall be able to satisfy the market," said James Manaseye a marketing executive. The ban would also affect South African supermarket chains and restaurants in the country, which have been selling chicken from South Africa.

By last week South Africa was conducting nationwide tests on ostriches as it continued to slaughter diseased birds following an outbreak of bird flu, which had led to a ban on poultry exports.