EGGS SHORTAGE LOOMS THIS FESTIVE

MALKERNS –  Omelette, fried rice and milk tarts might not feature in this year’s Christmas menus as an eggs shortage looms this festive season.

This assertion was made by one of the largest egg producing companies in the kingdom.  Kitale Agriculture Consulting Director Brian Henn, whose company has been patiently waiting for an order of 7 000 chickens for about seven weeks, has warned that serious consequences could arise from the continued delays which could largely be attributed to the outbreak of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza in South Africa. It should, however, be clarified that Swaziland has not experienced an outbreak of Avian Influenza. Henn disclosed that they currently have 34 000 birds who were aging and could lead to a decline in production if the current situation, which has led to delay in supply of birds persists. He mentioned that the company produces about 30 000 eggs per day. “If we do not get birds by the end of November, it will definitely have an impact in our supply during the festive season,” Henn revealed. Asked what had led to the shortage in supply, Henn pointed out that it had been caused by the bio security measures which had been put in place to control any further spread of Avian Influenza. “We are not complaining about the bio-safety measures because the industry must be protected,” Henn highlighted.

The director of the company which employs 22 people also mentioned that, regardless of the fact that Swaziland has not had an outbreak of Avian Influenza, they had destroyed about 2000 free range chickens as a safety measure. In terms of losses incurred, Henn said the increase in egg prices had slightly compensated them but not entirely. He did not immediately have monetary value of the loss. In the wake of Avian Influenza outbreak, the Ministry of Agriculture imposed a ban on all importation of poultry and its products together with wild and domestic birds, which was anticipated to lead an increase in the price of chickens locally. Ministry of Agriculture Director of Veterinary Services Xolani Dlamini said the ban was not limited to poultry but also included ostrich feathers, table and fertile eggs together with all animate and inanimate objects used in either poultry farming or processing. Dlamini said the ban was subject to review based on epidemiology of the disease in South Africa. The country imports fertile eggs, specially prepared meat, farming equipment, day old chicks and other inputs.

“All poultry farmers are urged to implement a strict bio-security protocol including use of protective clothing and disinfection, limiting unnecessary visitors and avoiding procurement of new birds if possible,” said Dlamini.  He advised farmers to separate sick birds and report any occurrence to the nearest veterinary authority. In the event of an unlikely outbreak in Swaziland, Dlamini said the country would stop all exports and internal trade and movement of poultry. He said they would also quarantine the area where the outbreak has been discovered, destroys all birds in that area and have it disinfected.  He explained that all the killed birds would be buried with lime.  In terms of alternatives of imports, Dlamini advised that businesses would be expected to seek alternative sources such as South America sub continent even though he warned that this could be costly. He said increased production costs would definitely lead to a price increase on the market.               

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: