Mozambique can now celebrate the lifting of its ban on South African poultry goods. This decision is the result of the fact that for more than six months, neither Mozambique nor South Africa have reported any new cases of avian influenza, or bird flu.
Prior to the restriction, certain poultry products from South Africa could only be imported into Mozambique through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADER). Producer chicks, day-old chicks and ducks, hatching eggs, and frozen chicken meat were among them.
Mozambican households and businesses can now import these poultry products from South Africa again as the prohibition has been lifted. To maintain biosecurity and stop the reintroduction of avian flu, stringent laws are still in force.
The National Directorate of Livestock Development, a department within MADER, emphasizes that imported poultry products must originate from birds housed in compartments certified to be free of avian influenza. Furthermore, these compartments must be approved by South African veterinary authorities, adhering to the World Food Organization (WFO) code for animal health.
For imports originating from countries beyond South Africa, additional procedures apply. The transit of poultry meat, feathers, eggs (both fertile and consumer), and other poultry byproducts used for animal feed or agricultural/industrial purposes requires authorization from the Mozambican veterinary authority. This authorization comes in the form of a specific import license.
The lifting of the import ban signifies a positive development for both Mozambique and South Africa. Mozambique regains access to a wider variety of poultry products, potentially stabilizing supply and prices for consumers. South African poultry producers, on the other hand, can resume exports to a key regional market.
The significance of biosecurity protocols in halting the spread of avian influenza is further highlighted by the decision. Mozambique is committed to protecting both the public’s health and its poultry business, as seen by the stringent restrictions set forth by MADER. The risk of bringing bird flu into the nation is reduced by making sure imported chicken products adhere to the relevant biosecurity regulations.
The circumstance serves as a reminder of the precarious equilibrium that exists between trade and biosecurity. Trade facilitation helps exporting and importing nations alike, but precautions against the spread of illnesses like avian influenza must be taken. For other nations dealing with comparable issues, Mozambique’s strategy—which combines the restoration of imports with stringent biosecurity measures—offers a possible template.
