processes
12 December 2007
The National Department of Agriculture, together with the Provincial
Department of Agriculture and the Agriculture Research Council (ARC) led by
Director-General, Masiphula Mbongwa, met the South African Ostrich Business
Chamber (SAOBC), led by Mr Anton Kruger to further strengthen the commitment of
keeping the South African ostrich industry well ahead of its global competitors
and to analyse progress that will ensure that this premium industry continues
to dominate export to the European Union (EU) market.
Henceforth, bi-annual meetings strategically aligned to market demand cycles
will take place. The meeting agreed to a work plan to seamlessly synchronise
operations through the entire value chain; implement in service training to
increase capacity; further develop market monitoring techniques; and explore a
speedy process to investigate the potential to establish a dedicated veterinary
unit to service the industry.
In addition, the ARC will further build expert capacity; review the
management of diagnostic services to improve lead times on diagnostics
information in order for the industry to meet its market demand.
The industry, which employs 20 000 people, exports 90 percent of products in
feathers, leather and meat to the European Union is important to the sector
especially to the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape provinces.
"The message coming across was that we have to maintain a disciplined
execution right through the value chain and reinforce this united force to
ensure that South Africa keeps the market," the Director-General
emphasised.
Enquiries:
Priscilla Tsotso Sehoole
Department of Agriculture
Tel: 012 319 7317
Cell: 083 265 8728
E-mail: CDCoC@nda.agric.za
Issued by: Department of Agriculture
12 December 2007
