The UK has successfully lifted a long-standing bird flu-related trade restriction with South Africa, allowing British poultry producers to export to the country for the first time in eight years. The embargo was lifted after the UK was declared free of avian influenza earlier this year.
This development is expected to inject an estimated £160m ($209.2m) into the UK poultry industry, according to government estimates.
UK food security minister Daniel Zeichner recently met with South African ministers Rosemary Capa and Andrew Whitfield to finalize the agreement. Zeichner emphasized that the deal will create significant opportunities for UK poultry exporters and contribute to economic growth. He stated, “This agreement not only opens new avenues for UK poultry traders but also strengthens the UK economy, marking a step forward in securing better trade deals for farmers and enhancing food exports.”
Before the export ban, South Africa was a key market for UK poultry, with exports exceeding £37m in 2016. The reopening of the market has been warmly received by representatives of the meat industry.
Katie Doherty, CEO of the International Meat Trade Association, expressed enthusiasm, calling the news “fantastic” for UK poultry producers and exporters. She noted that South Africa had been a vital market before the ban.
Richard Griffiths, Chief Executive of the British Poultry Council, added that the deal represents a successful collaboration between the government and industry to remove technical trade barriers. “Re-establishing trade with South Africa, one of our largest markets in the past, is incredibly exciting,” he said.
