State Vet Slams EU Ostrich Ban. (19 November, 1996)

The European Union (EU) ban on imports of South African ostrich meat is scientifically unjustified and a plot to cripple the R58 million-a-year export industry, top veterinarians said yesterday. Elo∩se Langenhoven, the principle state veterinarian responsible for animal export and import control, said yesterday that the ban, which followed a Congo fever (CCHF) scare at the Klein Karoo Co-operative abattoir, lacked scientific foundation.

Langenhoven said Congo fever, which was endemic to South Africa, was also endemic to Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. 'It is not clear why a distinction has been made between ostrich meat and other red meat from the region. If they had wanted to be totally balanced and scientifically justified, they would have closed down those red meat exporters too,' she said. 'Besides, none of the other ostrich abattoirs were affected by the outbreak.' Veterinary sources suggested the ban had been imposed to cripple the ostrich industry and open EU doors to countries like Britain, Australia and America.

'For some time, they have been trying to get us to stop marketing ostrich meat. Conveniently for them, CCHF broke out. Instead of asking for extra testing or guarantees, they just stopped all exports.' The ban comes in the wake of price-protection appeals by some Australian farmers claiming South Africa had dented international ostrich meat prices. Erwan Fouere, the EU ambassador, denied the allegations yesterday and said the ban was to safeguard public health and maintain consumer confidence in the quality of ostrich meat. By Francoise Botha. Courtesy of the Pretoria News.