The South African Poultry Association says the effect of the deadly avian flu, which rocked the industry in 2017, could lead to less investment, job losses and loss of export markets. The association said it was bracing for another outbreak this winter. "Apart from direct financial losses due to the highly pathogenic avian influenza causing high mortalities, mass culling, the increased cost of heightened biosecurity, loss of fertile eggs and loss in egg income, other consequences are expected to follow," the association said in a report distributed on Monday. "These could include less investment, job losses, loss of export markets, higher retail egg prices and reduced per capita egg consumption." In March the Department of Environmental Affairs confirmed the spread of H5N8 avian flu to African penguins along the coast of the Western Cape, particularly Boulders Beach. There are fears this could affect poultry farms in coastal areas. The association told MPs recently the culling of bi...
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