Ostrich meat loses EU status
November 19, 2007
By Sibongile Khumalo
Johannesburg - The EU health and consumer protection directorate has recommended that South Africa be removed from the EU's list of exporters of ostrich meat, poultry, milk, honey, pork and beef, after failing to provide an approved residue monitoring plan. The recommendation - which could lead to an outright ban - was made in June.
Although South Africa is still sending meat - except beef - to the EU, the R1.2 billion ostrich export business - the largest local meat export to the EU - is under threat.
EU spokesperson Philip Tod has confirmed the delisting recommendation, adding that the move came after an EU delegation of health inspectors had declared the country's residue control systems ineffective and dysfunctional. The inspectors also noted lack of local staff to monitor the control systems.
Residue testing in meat involves an examination for antimicrobials and antibiotics such as penicillin, pesticides and growth stimulants that could harm consumers.
A final ruling on whether to completely ban South Africa or reinstate it to the list of EU meat providers would be taken at the end of next month, Tod said. "A decision to continue accepting South Africa's main meat export [will] depend on guarantees and information provided by the local authorities."
Business Report has learnt that South Africa failed to submit residue monitoring results for 2005 and 2006, in contravention of the EU's policy for meat suppliers.
Anton Kruger, chief executive of the SA Ostrich Business Chamber, said 90 percent of the ostrich meat produced locally was exported to EU countries.
"The ban or any negative image of the industry could have huge implications for us," said Kruger. "There has, however, been no formal communication with the EU regarding the pending ban."
The chamber represents 113 farmers, based mainly in the southern Cape and Klein Karoo. According to Kruger, the industry employs about 20 000 people.
The EU had previously banned local ostrich meat after an outbreak of bird flu. That ban, which lasted several years, was lifted in November last year.
Dr Vinny Naidoo, a veterinary pharmacologist at the University of Pretoria, said meat that had received drug treatment could have serious implications for consumers.
"People who are allergic to penicillin could have a severe reaction if they happen to consume milk or meat with high concentrations of penicillin," said Naidoo.
"Therefore, unsafe products for the EU means unsafe for the South African consumer."
The department of agriculture, which is responsible for monitoring and controlling residue testing laboratories, did not respond to questions about why it had failed to submit residue monitoring results for two consecutive years.
Spokesperson Tsotso Sehoole said: "The department has addressed the testing backlogs with the EU and is awaiting its response."
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