South Africa reopens for UK chicken post bird flu
© Tim Scrivener The UK has regained market access to South Africa for poultrymeat in a deal which could be worth £160m to the sector over the next five years.
South Africa has lifted restrictions on UK poultry imports as a result of the UK being declared free from avian influenza earlier this year, overturning an almost eight-year ban.
UK exports to South Africa had previously been worth more than £37m to the poultry sector in 2016, before the restrictions were introduced.
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Defra farming minister Daniel Zeichner said: “This deal not only opens new opportunities for UK poultry traders, but grants a new avenue through which to grow the UK economy.
“We’re one step further on our journey to securing better trade deals for UK farmers, improving industry resilience and kickstarting our food exports.”
‘Fantastic news’
International Meat Trade Association chief executive Katie Doherty added that the reopening of South Africa for UK poultrymeat exports was fantastic news for UK producers and exporters.
Ms Doherty said: “It is testament to all the hard work by Defra’s market access team and the agricultural attachés and other officials who have supported this crucial work over many years, for which we are very grateful.”
The announcement was also welcomed by Richard Griffiths, chief executive of the British Poultry Council, who said: “Our relationships with markets around the world underpin economic growth right here in the UK.
“Providing half the meat the nation eats every year, plus the breeding stock of 70% of all poultry consumed globally, British Poultry Council members actively contribute to both domestic and global food security.
“That trade of British poultry can resume with South Africa following the lifting of the avian influenza ban is a great example of government and industry working together to overcome technical trade barriers.
“Unlocking access to what was once one of our biggest markets is incredibly exciting.”