SA cannot afford any more delays to Brazil poultry imports by vet inspectors at the border

IOL News

3 days ago

Currently, even when poultry shipments are pre-cleared using the online system, the poultry is held at a South African port until the original paper-based certificates arrive, which adds at least 7 to 10 days of delay before the chicken can be released for sale.
Image: Pixabay
By Georg Southey
Merlog Foods is calling on the Border Management Authority (BMA) to implement the use of an online electronic verification system to verify health certificates and prevent further delays to poultry imports.
These delays, caused by a reliance on paper-based certificates, are undermining food security and contributing to rising protein costs in South Africa.
Veterinary health certificates for poultry exports from Brazil are issued both as hard copies and as secure electronic records accessible through an internationally recognised online portal.
Both the Border Management Authority and the Directorate of Animal Health under the Department of Agriculture already have access to this online system.
Currently, even when poultry shipments are pre-cleared using the online system, the poultry is held at a South African port until the original paper-based certificates arrive, which adds at least 7 to 10 days of delay before the chicken can be released for sale.
Merlog Foods urges the Border Management Authority to rely on the online veterinary portal as used by Brazil instead of waiting for paper certificates to be sent from Brazil.
After months of disruption to poultry imports, we urge the Border Management Authority to align port inspection procedures with modern, technologically based practices. Formalising the use of electronic verification systems would streamline trade while maintaining food safety and compliance.
Following a ban on Brazilian poultry imports due to a single case of bird flu (HPAI) in one state, South Africa has recently reopened trade with Brazil. Early shipments are expected from the week of 18 August.
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We expect volumes to build up over the next two to three months, which will help stabilise the local protein market and ensure processors have access to key inputs such as mechanically deboned meat (MDM).
MDM is a critical raw material in the manufacture of affordable processed protein products such as polony and viennas. These products are widely consumed by lower-income households and used in local school feeding schemes. Delays in releasing MDM into the market directly impact food affordability, with an estimated 100 million meals lost per week of delay.
The continued requirement for original paper-based veterinary health certificates, despite their delayed issuance and delivery, creates a bottleneck in the supply chain. In contrast, Brazil's online veterinary certificate verification system is secure, widely used by global trade partners, and was previously accepted by South African authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Merlog Foods also urged the Department of Agriculture to prioritise finalising a regionalisation protocol with Brazil. This would allow imports from unaffected provinces to continue in the event of any future bird flu outbreak, rather than triggering a nationwide ban.
It is important that a regionalisation protocol with Brazil is concluded without delay. If another case of bird flu arises in future and no agreement is in place, the entire country could once again be subject to a blanket ban. This would force us to experience unnecessary disruptions again.
Merlog Foods reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Department of Agriculture and its veterinary inspection teams at the Border Management Authority in implementing regulatory improvements that ensure safe, efficient and uninterrupted food supply.
Georg Southey is the manager at Merlog Foods.
Image: Supplied
* Georg Southey is the manager at Merlog Foods.
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.
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