WESTERN CAPE NEWS - Avian flu has cost the Western Cape 63% of it's egg laying poultry.
Western Cape MEC for Economic Opportunities, minister Alan Winde said this may lead to shortages of eggs and poultry products.
“Some shortages of poultry products including eggs, may be experienced in the province over the coming weeks as a result of the action taken to tackle the avian influenza.
"This was unavoidable given the extent of the outbreak.
"We are doing what we can to assist the industry to recover as quickly as possible.”
In addition. 144 ostrich farms are under quarantine, yet to date no ostriches have been culled as a result of avian influenza.
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture gave an update on avian influenza and its economic impact at a media briefing this week.
There are 56 confirmed cases of avian influenza in the Western Cape. This is up from 50 confirmed cases last week.
Apart from the R800 million in production losses, a further R75 million loss in the cull buyer market is expected.
The Joint Operations Centre established by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and the Provincial Disaster Management Centre met on Thursday last week to provide a progress report on the provincial government’s response to the outbreak.
The humanitarian relief plan is being rolled out in partnership with social organisations.
The MEC for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, minister Anton Bredell, who is responsible for disaster management operations said the province is monitoring the ongoing situation and is working to curb the impact and further spread of the disease in the province.
Alan Winde, Minister of Economic Opportunities, said the number of culled birds stood at 2.7 million, of which 2.6m were layer hens.
“There are just over 4.2million layer hens in the Western Cape, meaning we have lost 63% of our egg laying poultry.
“We have received reports that farms in Gauteng have started restocking, after their properties have shown to be 100% free of the virus. We will be monitoring this process closely.
"State vets in the Western Cape are also working with farmers to disinfect chicken houses. We can only start restocking at properties once there are no traces of the virus. We are calling on farmers to work with us in this regard.”
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