DA continues to fight for the poultry industry to get assistance from the government
4 December 2023
The poultry industry is on the brink of collapse due to the avian influenza outbreak. The DA demands that the government take immediate action to support the industry and prevent thousands of job losses.
The poultry industry is a critical sector of the South African economy, providing employment to hundreds of thousands of people and producing affordable protein for millions of households.
The government's failure to act decisively in the face of this crisis is a betrayal of the poultry industry and the people who depend on it.
The DA has outlined several measures that the government could take to support the poultry industry, including:
- Importing approved international vaccines: The DA has repeatedly called on the government to import approved international vaccines to prevent the spread of avian influenza. However, the government has refused to do so, citing safety concerns.
- Provide compensation to poultry farmers: The DA is calling on the government to provide compensation to poultry farmers who have been forced to cull their flocks. The DA estimates that the total cost of compensation could be as high as R1 billion.
- Provide tax rebates and incentives: The DA is calling on the government to provide tax rebates and incentives to poultry farmers to help them keep their businesses afloat.
The DA will continue to fight for the poultry industry. We will not rest until the government takes the necessary steps to save this vital sector of the economy.
The DA believes that the government's failure to act and assist poultry farmers demonstrates its indifference to the plight of ordinary South Africans. The DA is committed to holding the government accountable for its actions and ensuring the poultry industry receives the support it needs to survive.
Issued by Bronwyn Engelbrecht, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, 4 December 2023
