Bird flu threatens Cape¡¯s ostrich exports

RAY SMUTS
THE DREADED bird flu has once again struck the ostrich industry ¨C largely dependent on exports for its livelihood - this time in the Western Cape. The last outbreak, limited to the Eastern Cape, led to the slaughter of some
30 000 birds and a South African and European Union ban - accounting for some 90% of all ostrich products exported - resulting in losses of more than R600 million to the industry. The latest outbreak was detected on a smallholding outside Riversdale, near Mossel Bay, and the entire ostrich population of 60 birds killed. The property remains under quarantine. The industry and department of agriculture were in negotiations with trade partners about this latest development last week, reported to be the first in the Western Cape. The country has around 600 ostrich farms of which 70% are in the Western Cape and 20% in the Eastern Cape, tanned hides dominating the export trade to Europe. ¡ñ The European Union has slapped an immediate ban on the export of all ostrich products from the Riversdale and Mossel Bay areas in the Western Cape, following the detection of the H5N2 avian flu. The ban, which will remain in effect until October, affects each and every ostrich export, including meat, eggs, hides and feathers. It remains to be seen whether South Africa will invoke its own voluntary ban on exports of the product, as it did in 2004.