Govt clamps down on poultry product imports from S...

Govt clamps down on poultry product imports from SA, Mozambique to curb Avian flu

Patience Muchemwa

The government has restricted the importation of any poultry products from South African and Mozambique due to the outbreak of Avian flu.

In an interview with Zim Now, Department of Veterinary Technical Services Director Dr Pious Makaya said poultry products are restricted from South Africa to avoid the spread of the virus into the country.

“Like now, we don’t want to see any egg from South Africa because they have an avian influenza outbreak.

“We have actually strengthened our Vet security check-points at Beitbridge, if you bring an egg, a bird or any product you won’t pass through. Same applies with Mozambique there is an outbreak, we don’t want poultry or any poultry products from there.”

On Tuesday, the Veterinary Services Department destroyed 85 boxes with about 8 500 live chicks that were being smuggled into Zimbabwe through the Chirundu Border Post.

The move was aimed at curbing the Avian flu that has destroyed about 20 percent of the country’s national chicken population, leading to a shortage of eggs and poultry products in South Africa.

Zimbabwean beef and beef products are also restricted in other markets, especially the European Union, due to the incidence of foot and mouth disease.

Avian is a highly contagious viral infection that affects wild birds as well as poultry.

The strain was first confirmed in chickens near Delmas, north of Johannesburg at the beginning of June 2023.