Agriculture
With regard to the recent outbreak of bird flu at poultry farms in the province:
- (a) How many animals had to be culled, (b) how widely spread was the prevalence of bird flu and (c) what is the economic value lost due to the outbreak;
- (a) what action steps did his Department take to curb the spread of bird flu, (b) what legislation enables his Department to act in cases of highly infectious diseases and (c) to what extent have the measures implemented succeeded in stopping the spread of bird flu among commercial chicken farms?
18. 1 (a) 1.45 million birds
- Three adjacent properties in the West Coast (Malmesbury) and two properties in Cape Winelands (Paarl) have been affected.
- Western Cape has about 5,7 million birds in production of which 1.45 million thereof were destroyed. This constitutes about 25% production loss. The poultry industry plays a significant role in the economy of Western Cape accounting significantly towards employment, as its operations are labour intensive. Production losses will exert additional pressure on the employment landscape.
2(a) All affected properties were placed under quarantine, thus limiting movement to and from properties. All infected birds were destroyed and infective condemned material safely disposed of. An extensive publicity campaign was put in place alerting all concerned about the prevailing Avian Influenza and its control measures.
Veterinary services officials have been engaging with law enforcement officials providing information on what the task entails, and what must be put in place to ensure adherence to movement restriction measures. Publication of regulations governing livestock movement assisted in providing certainties, empowering police, and other law enforcement to intervene intensely when transgressions are encountered.
(b) Animal Diseases Act (Act 35 of 1984) - Sections 14, 15, 16, 17 & 31 and its regulations.
(c) The situation seems to be stable and under control in the commercial sector as the disease has only been reported in these five properties. Slow and delineated incidences are attributable to cooperation by stakeholders and industry role-players.
