South Africa’s poultry industry is at a critical point due to Avian Influenza outbreaks, economic pressures, and regulatory challenges. The impact of bird flu has been devastating globally, with significant losses in poultry populations leading to disruptions in the supply chain and economic hardship for farmers, producers, and consumers alike.
In response to this crisis, the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) has highlighted the urgency of addressing the issue through comprehensive strategies. Key among these strategies for SAPA is the consideration of bird flu vaccinations, which presents both opportunities and challenges.
ChickenFacts examines the complex and interconnected challenges related to bird flu vaccinations, food security, and meat exports.
As the industry grapples with potential disease outbreaks in the upcoming winter season, it is imperative to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of vaccination programmes, including their impact on trade and disease control.
The discussion on bird flu vaccinations is not unique to South Africa. Globally, countries have debated the efficacy and feasibility of such programmes, with varying outcomes. While some nations have embraced vaccination as a means to manage the disease, others, like the USA, have expressed significant reservations due to trade implications and the complexities of disease monitoring.
Understanding the implications of these choices is crucial for the future of South Africa’s trade economy, food security, and the local poultry industry, as it navigates these turbulent conditions and seeks sustainable solutions to address these challenges.
USA: Vaccines Are No Silver Bullet
In 2023, Tom Super, the senior vice president for communications at the National Chicken Council (the national trade association for the US broiler chicken industry), expressed support for ongoing discussions about a vaccination programme. However, he emphasised that the council backs the current eradication policy of APHIS (The US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service), considering it the best approach to eliminate bird flu in the US.
Super explained that the National Chicken Council does not support the use of a bird flu vaccine primarily due to trade concerns. Most countries, including the US, do not recognise countries that vaccinate as free of bird flu because vaccines can mask the presence of the disease. Consequently, these countries do not accept exports from nations that vaccinate their poultry.
Implementing a vaccination programme for poultry comes with significant complications. While vaccinated birds are protected from the disease, they can still shed the virus and potentially infect unprotected birds. This can lead to amplification of the virus.
Vaccinated birds often do not show symptoms if they contract the disease, making it difficult to identify and separate infected birds from healthy ones. Tests also struggle to differentiate between antibodies produced by vaccination and those produced by an infection. This complicates disease monitoring and control efforts.
In Peru, a cross-species bird flu infection killed over 3400 sea lions in 2023, highlighting the broader impact of the disease. If the disease can’t be accurately diagnosed, it might spread more extensively than if it were promptly identified and eradicated.
Countries that choose to vaccinate often see more endemic strains develop, meaning the virus is never completely eradicated. This is due to the variability of the virus; if vaccines are not regularly updated to match the changing virus, they provide only partial protection. This partial protection allows more birds to spread the virus, perpetuating its presence.
South Africa’s Predicament
SAPA has declared that the poultry industry is facing a crisis. The association identifies two primary strategies to address the bird flu outbreak: culling infected flocks or vaccinating birds to enhance immunity.
SAPA emphasises that although culling is the traditional approach, it is unsustainable for local producers.
Unlike the USA and many other countries, the South African government does not compensate farmers for chickens it orders them to cull.
SAPA acknowledges that many farmers are holding back due to economic uncertainty and fears of further disease outbreaks. To this end, SAPA has bemoaned delays in rolling out avian influenza vaccines, calling for government intervention.
“The problem is that the government permission is needed for each poultry producer that wants to vaccinate, and the government has made the process of accessing vaccines unnecessarily onerous. Monitoring and testing requirements are so restrictive and expensive, that farmers cannot comply.”
In February, SAPA acknowledged that to date, not one vaccine dose has been administered.
SAPA added that although vaccine registration is approved, strict biosecurity measures hinder large-scale vaccination, putting South African poultry producers in a problematic position.
The Department of Agriculture Weighs In
In an interview with ChickenFacts, Dipepeneneng Serage, the Deputy Director-General (DDG) of Agricultural Production, Biosecurity, and Disaster Management at the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), said industry players are squarely responsible for vaccine applications.
“We recall that, as regulators, we were waiting for applicants to apply for the H7 vaccine. Companies applied in 2023, but unfortunately, only H5 was approved. The application for H7 did not meet the required standards, so we could not approve it,” Serage said.
Vaccine Approval Process
The approval process is stringent, and multiple factors are considered, including toxicology and potential risks to human and environmental health.
“When we assess an application, we take several factors into account. One of the key aspects is toxicology—we need to ensure the vaccine is not harmful to humans or the environment. There are multiple other considerations as well. Even vaccines registered abroad must go through the same rigorous approval process in South Africa. Approval in another country does not guarantee automatic acceptance here,” Serage said.
There has been ongoing debate over who should lead the effort to push for vaccine registration. Serage explained that the department’s role is not to seek out applicants.
“That is not the regulator’s role under Act 36 of 1947. The responsibility lies with the industry or relevant stakeholders to apply for vaccine registration. Our role as regulators is to assess applications when submitted and determine if they meet the necessary requirements,” he said.
“The process of lobbying for vaccinations falls under another jurisdiction—specifically, the Department of Animal Health. While vaccines must be legally registered, it is up to the industry to request approval for their use. The registrar does not actively seek applicants; we simply assess and approve applications that comply with the law.”
One significant hurdle in vaccine approval is meeting South Africa’s strict biosecurity standards. Regulators insist these protocols are necessary to differentiate between birds that test positive due to vaccination and those infected with the disease.
“There are several key protocols. One crucial aspect is differentiating between birds that test positive due to vaccination and those that test positive due to infection. We also need assurance that vaccination does not pose risks to consumers,” he said.
The poultry industry has raised concerns over these regulations, arguing that they are excessively stringent.
“A draft protocol was shared with the poultry industry for review, and we’ve heard concerns that it is rigorous. However, it must be strict to ensure safety and effectiveness. This protocol will eventually be formalised as a scheme under the Animal Diseases Act. Once finalised, anyone wishing to vaccinate will need to comply with its requirements.”
For broilers, which have a lifespan of about five weeks, scientific proof is required to show that vaccination does not present health risks. Meanwhile, for layers and breeder hens, an agreed-upon disposal method must be established for birds at the end of their laying cycle.
SAPA has argued that no farm in the country has met these protocols due to their stringency.
However, Serage viewed this as an indication of a broader failure in industry standards rather than a fault in the regulations themselves.
“If poultry farms are struggling to meet biosecurity protocols, that in itself is a serious issue. The reason we are seeing recurring outbreaks is due to poor biosecurity measures within the industry.”
Regulatory Bodies
The red meat industry is governed by the Meat Safety Act, 2000 (Act No. 40 of 2000) and the Red Meat Regulations No. R1072 of 2004. Exporters must comply with stringent sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) and technical barriers to trade (TBT). Each slaughter batch must be accompanied by a Declaration of Health, and establishments must be inspected by Provincial Veterinary Authorities.
The poultry industry operates under the Poultry Meat Inspection Scheme, which guarantees that poultry products comply with food safety standards for export. According to DALRRD, a draft biosecurity protocol has been established and will ultimately be formalised as a scheme under the Animal Diseases Act.
Disparity Between Red Meat Exports and Poultry
South Africa’s poultry industry is focused on increasing local production and expanding exports.
Looking at the latest year-on-year trade statistics, there was a 10% increase in total chicken exports in 2024, with bone-in chicken being the leading poultry export commodity.
South Africa origin (produced in SA) chicken exports totalled 39,461 metric tons in 2024.
In January, SAPA reported progress in opening export markets. Residue monitoring programmes have been submitted, and inspections by the UK and Saudi Arabia are expected in the coming months.
These inspections are essential steps toward gaining access to the UK, the European Union (EU), and Saudi Arabian markets, with cooked chicken products, such as breast meat, being the primary focus.
According to SAPA, exports of uncooked chicken to these markets are not anticipated at this stage.
In sharp contrast to poultry, South Africa’s red meat industry, including beef and sheep meat, has shown resilience with beef production reaching 777,706 tons in 2024.
South Africa exported a total of 34,486 tons of beef by November 2024. This was a significant increase of 16% compared to the 29,718 tons exported in 2023. Major importing countries include Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Additionally, South Africa exported 10,554 tons of sheep and goats by November 2024, which was a 70% increase compared to previous years. The leading markets included Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Lesotho.
The increase in red meat exports can be attributed to improved biosecurity measures and collaborative efforts between the government and private industry to manage animal diseases and negotiate trade agreements.
Although red meat exports presently constitute only 5% of total production, emerging opportunities such as the recent entry into the Saudi Arabian market and ongoing negotiations with significant trade partners like China and Indonesia present substantial potential for growth.
Robust Trade Relations for South Africa
Healthy competition in the market benefits everyone. According to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), competition encourages innovation, improves product quality, and reduces prices, ultimately benefiting consumers and producers alike.
Fostering a competitive environment and healthy trade relations is crucial for ensuring food security and affordability in South Africa. Such relations influence the availability, quality, and price of food products, including poultry.
By diversifying supply sources, South Africa can reduce its dependency on local supply, thereby enhancing overall food security.
Engaging with international suppliers can facilitate the adoption of advanced poultry farming techniques, improve efficiency, and reduce production costs, fostering innovation and resilience within the agricultural sector.
Consistent and robust trade relations help stabilise food prices by guaranteeing a steady supply of food products, thus preventing shortages and price fluctuations.
Additionally, strong trade relations contribute to economic growth by enhancing the productivity of the agricultural sector and creating new job opportunities.
Conclusion
Effective collaboration between the public and private sectors, coupled with stringent adherence to international sanitary requirements, is vital for boosting local poultry production and exports to the same standards set by South Africa’s red meat industry.
The red meat industry benefits from comprehensive regulations like the Meat Safety Act, 2000 (Act No. 40 of 2000), and Red Meat Regulations No. R1072 of 2004, ensuring that exporters meet rigorous sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) and technical barriers to trade (TBT).
By enhancing similar regulations for the poultry sector and ensuring that products meet international food safety standards, South Africa can expand its poultry exports, tapping into lucrative markets like the UK, EU, and Saudi Arabia.
Continued progress in opening export markets, supported by residue monitoring programmes and forthcoming inspections, will facilitate growth.
The collaborative efforts that have driven significant increases in red meat exports should serve as a blueprint for bolstering the poultry industry and leveraging emerging trade opportunities.
Related article: Investigating Poultry: Analysis of South Africa’s Trade
