Press release
The South African Poultry Association congratulates the Honourable Minister Willie Aucamp on his appointment as Minister of Agriculture.
Minister Aucamp assumes this important role at a critical time for South African agriculture, with animal disease management, food security, farmer support and the reduction of unnecessary red tape all requiring continued focus and practical partnership between government and industry.
For the poultry sector, one of the most urgent priorities remains the effective management of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. SAPA welcomes the progress made towards an HPAI vaccination framework and believes it is important that the implementation plan is finalised, ratified and operationalised in a manner that is practical for producers, protects national food security, and supports both established and emerging farmers.
SAPA is encouraged by Minister Aucamp’s focus on creating an enabling environment that allows farmers to farm. This is especially important for small-scale and emerging producers, who require policy certainty, practical regulation, disease-risk management and improved market access to participate more sustainably in the poultry value chain.
SAPA also acknowledges the contribution of Deputy Minister John Steenhuisen during his tenure as Minister of Agriculture, particularly his engagement with the poultry industry on HPAI and broader sector issues. As he moves into his new role as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, SAPA looks forward to continued engagement on trade, competitiveness, jobs and industrial development issues that are central to the future of the poultry sector.
These include ongoing work linked to the Poultry Master Plan, trade measures, export opportunities, local production, transformation and SAPA’s continued cooperation with the Competition Commission’s Poultry Market Inquiry.
The poultry industry is a major contributor to South Africa’s agricultural and industrial economy, supporting food security, investment and employment across the value chain. We look forward to future engagement with both Minister Aucamp and Deputy Minister Steenhuisen to share the industry’s priorities and discuss how government and industry can continue working together in support of a competitive, inclusive and sustainable poultry sector.
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