Pretoria – Botswana has imposed restrictions on poultry and poultry product imports from South Africa.
The ban, prompted by the outbreak of avian flu in South Africa, was imposed by the Botswana Government on Tuesday and includes products such as meat, eggs, and feathers.
Reacting to the ban, SA Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza said she was concerned about the restrictions on imports which have been extended by the Botswana Government.
The minister said she would seek an urgent meeting with her Botswana counterpart “to raise her concerns and further listen to her colleague on what may be the underlying concerns that have made Botswana take this move”.
Minister Didiza previously raised South Africa’s concerns about these restrictions during the SACU Summit in July 2023.
A broader bilateral engagement was expected to take place between the agriculture and trade ministers of both countries.
“We hope that the engagements will assist in resolving this challenge for the benefit of our countries and industry,“ Minister Didiza said.
