Over 500 000 chickens slaughtered in the WC following a bird flu outbreak.
Point of View with Phemelo Motene spoke to Director of Animal Health at the Department of Agriculture, Dr Mpho Maja about the interventions government is undertaking after more than 5 hundred thousand chickens were culled in the Western Cape in the latest bird flu outbreak.
LISTEN TO THE FULL CONVERSATION HERE:
Dr Mpho Maja gave background as to what the situation is in the Western Cape.
She said that due to the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the Western Cape, at least 550 000 hens have been killed and many more eggs have been lost.
“We so far have 5 farms in the Western Cape that have been affected, the number of chickens that were culled is roughly half a million.
“On suspicion of the disease, once we get notified, we immediately place the farm under quarantine, but we obviously can’t tell the chickens to stop laying eggs, what that means is that no live birds or egg products leaves the premises while we wait for the results ” said Maja.
Also Read: Dr Nandipha’s high court application dismissed with costs, to remain in custody
This is the second outbreak of avian flu to affect the area this year. The first incident was Quantum Foods, a JSE-listed manufacturer of Nulaid Eggs, who had to shoot at least 420 000 chickens to stop the disease’s spread.
Western Cape agriculture partners with Red Meat Producers.
In other related news, The Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) and the Red Meat Producers’ Organization (RPO) have teamed up to combat cattle theft, one of the biggest challenges facing farmers.
“This will enable the RPO to purchase infrared night vision equipment to combat stock theft. Doing so will contribute to safer rural communities and continued employment opportunities in the red meat industry,” said Western Cape MEC for Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer,
READ NEXT: 12 students arrested in connection with University of Fort Hare fire
