EU puts ban on ostrich imports

By Chanel September

The ban on ostrich and meat imports from two Western Cape districts is expected to have only a minimum impact said the South African Ostrich Business Chamber today. Anton Kruger Chief executive of SAOBC said that it is a low consumption season for ostrich in Europe. The European Union informed the National Department of Agricultural of the ban, after an outbreak of avian influenza was detected in the Mossel Bay and Riversdale areas. The ostrich farm was placed under quarantine after the precautionary culling of 60 ostriches. The current EU ban is expected to only last until the end of October and would apply to live ostriches, their eggs, meats and meat products. Despite the ban, the department says that ostrich meat remains safe for consumption.