Merlog Foods pushes for digital vetting to fast-track poultry imports
Image: Pixabay
Meat importer Merlog Foods has called on the Border Management Authority to adopt electronic verification of poultry health certificates, saying delays caused by paper-based checks are disrupting imports, raising protein costs, and affecting food security.
In a statement issued to the media on Wednesday, the company said continued reliance on paper-based certificates is causing delays of 7 to 10 days at ports.
"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," the company said.
"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".
Following a ban on Brazilian poultry imports due to a bird flu (HPAI) in one state, South Africa has recently reopened trade with Brazil. Early shipments are expected from the week of 18 August 2025.
'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,' George Southey, Manager at Merlog Foods, said.
The company added that these imports are critical to stabilising the local protein market, particularly for mechanically deboned meat (MDM), a key ingredient in affordable processed meats like polony and viennas.
"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".
The company also called on the Department of Agriculture to finalise a regionalisation protocol with Brazil, which would allow imports from unaffected provinces to continue during future bird flu outbreaks instead of triggering blanket bans across the country.
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