Registration now compulsory for live chicken traders

Anyone buying and selling more than five live chickens for any purpose other than direct slaughter at a registered abattoir will in future have to register with the Poultry Disease Management Agency (PDMA).

Registration now compulsory for live chicken traders
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Speaking at a Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) media briefing in Pretoria, Minister Senzeni Zokwana said about 260 000 birds had already been culled following an avian influenza outbreak on two farms in Mpumalanga.

The affected farms, an egg producer and a broiler producer, have been placed under quarantine.

According to DAFF animal health director, Dr Mpho Maja, neighbouring countries suspended live imports from South Africa, but as the disease did not affect humans, processed products were still being exported.

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The ban would be upheld until DAFF was convinced all proper processes had been followed, Zokwana said.

The disease was spread by wild migratory birds from Europe.

Free-range farmers have been advised to remove feed and water that could be accessed by these wild birds, Zokwana said.

Visit the DAFF website at daff.gov.za or register with PDMA at poultrydiseases.co.za, or phone 012 529 8298.

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Gerhard Uys grew up as a real city lad, but spends his free time hiking and visiting family farms. He learnt the journalism trade as a freelance writer and photographer in the lifestyle industry, but having decided that he will be a cattle farmer by the age of 45 he now indulges his passion for farming by writing about agriculture. He feels Farmer’s Weekly is a platform for both developed and emerging farmers to learn additional farming skills and therefore takes the job of relaying practical information seriously.