Western Cape minister welcomes EU ostrich ban lift

The European Union (EU) has lifted the four-year ban on South African ostrich exports, according to Alan Winde, minister of Economic Opportunities for the Western Cape,
The lifting of the ban will come into effect in late this month.

"This is excellent news and will help grow the size of the ostrich industry, which contributes over R1 billion to the economy. The industry was severely economically impacted by the 2011 highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak, but has since recovered somewhat through the export of processed ostrich meat,” he said.

Processed meat would also continue to be exported, in addition to the export of fresh ostrich meat, which would help lessen the impact of any future incursions of HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) in the industry.

Winde added that vets in the Western Cape conducted regular testing which ensured animal diseases were detected early. "Strict control measures are put in place to ensure that cases that arise are managed effectively," he said.