Zimbabwe bans SA poultry imports
Harare, Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe Friday banned chicken imports from a major South
African supplier after press reports said the company was exporting expired
products which posed a health risk. The media last week accused Supreme
Poultry, the biggest supplier of chicken to Zimbabwe, of re-packaging
expired meat for export.
Authorities said an investigation had been ordered into the reports, and in
the meantime banned chicken imports from the company.
William Shereni, a livestock and veterinary director in the Ministry of
Agriculture in Zimbabwe, said the ban would not affect two other South
African chicken exporters.
“The suspension is a precautionary measure to allow for investigations on
compliance with veterinary health standards following press reports of
malpractice by Supreme Poultry Botshabelo plant in Bloemfontain,” he said.
Zimbabwe traditionally is a poultry exporter, but became a net chicken
importer after controversial land reforms which drove thousands of whites
off their farms for black resettlement.
Pana 01/01/ 2011