6 days ago
SA meat processors body urges swift action to lift Brazil poultry ban as job losses mount
Sampa member Sky Country Meats has already laid off nearly 100 workers.
'With more retrenchments to follow next week if imports of mechanically deboned meat (MDM) are not restored as a matter of absolute urgency,' it said.
MDM is used in the manufacture of polony, viennas, russians, braai wors, bangers, frozen burgers, meat pies and corned meat.
South Africa does not produce MDM in any significant quantity and is forced to import the commodity. Brazil is the largest producer of MDM in the world, with 95% of MDM imported in the past 12 years coming from the South American powerhouse.
'Sampa has been engaging the agriculture department for more than two years about the threat posed by HPAI and we call on the government to have a more proactive policy framework in place to better deal with future outbreaks.'
Sampa reiterated its readiness to partner with government and other stakeholders to design and implement a framework which will better insulate South Africa's food value chain and protect jobs.
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