SAPA emphasised that the success of the vaccination programme would depend on clear regulations, scientifically validated vaccines, effective monitoring systems and ongoing cooperation between government and industry stakeholders.
South Africa's poultry industry has welcomed Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen's decision to introduce a regulatory framework that will allow the use of vaccines against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), marking a significant shift in the country's approach to managing bird flu outbreaks.
The move represents a departure from a long-standing policy that relied primarily on the mass culling of infected and exposed birds to contain the disease. The poultry industry is one of South Africa's largest agricultural sectors and plays a critical role in food security, rural development and employment.
Industry stakeholders have argued that the approach has imposed severe financial costs on producers, disrupted poultry and egg supplies, and contributed to higher food prices for consumers.
In a statement on Wednesday, Steenhuisen announced plans to amend animal disease regulations to create a legal framework for the use of vaccination as part of a broader avian influenza management strategy.
