Photo by: Bloomberg
The European Commission has lifted the four-year ban on the export of South African fresh ostrich meat into the European Union (EU).
Exports to the EU would resume in late August and would continue in parallel with the export of processed ostrich meat.
The ban was implemented in April 2011, following the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, and lifted now that the commission had been assured that South Africa was free from the disease.
Western Cape Economic Opportunities Minister Alan Winde on Friday welcomed the lifting of the ban. “This is excellent news, which stands to grow the size of the ostrich industry, which contributes over R1-billion to the economy.”
He added that the resumption of fresh ostrich meat exports to the EU would also assist in creating more jobs.