South Sudan will not put a ban on Uganda's poultry exports

The South Sudan National Livestock and Fisheries Minister, James Duku has assured Ugandans that the country will not put a ban on Uganda's poultry exports despite the outbreak of Ayian influenza (bird flu).

Three weeks ago, an outbreak of Avian influenza was confirmed along the shores of Lake Victoria at Lutembe bay in Wakiso and Bukakata in Masaka district.

Avian Influenza is a highly pathogenic disease caused by a virus referred to as HPA1.

The disease has so far claimed thousands of the white winged black terns that migrate from Europe as well as ducks and chicken. 

Duku who is visiting Uganda to access the situation regarding the bird flu outbreak told journalists at the Ministry of Agriculture in Entebbe recently that when there was an outbreak of bird flu in Uganda; people of South Sudan were much alarmed that they would be the next of target by the disease.

Duku said as such, he decided to visit Uganda especially the affected areas and assess the situation, and to his admiration, Uganda has put measures in place to address the situation and ensure no further out break.

 "After my visit to some of the farms in Uganda and assessing the situation, it is true the disease broke out here, but government of Uganda has put measures in place to contain it and ensure the safety of Ugandans and contain it from spreading to thre region," said Duku

"The condition is not as alarming as perceived outside, I therefore want to give Uganda assurance that we shall not put a ban on the import on poultry and products from Uganda," Duku further said

"I also want to assure    Ugandan poultry farmers that no impediments shall come their way as they trade with South Sudan," he added

Duku none the less said the two countries are going to establish a join technical team which will further study the situation and put recommendations in place to ensure no further out break.

He also applauded Uganda's wealth creation programme, saying it is inclusive, benefitting many Ugandans and South Sudan plans to replicate it.

The state minister for Agriculture, Vincent Ssempijja thanked the government of South Sudan for not over reacting, or abandoning or close boarders to Uganda's goods when the country was facing the problem of the bird flu outbreak, but rather joined the country to work together to access and contain the situation.

Ssempijja informed the minister of Sudan that the ministry is in charge and doing its best to control the outbreak further to other parts of the country or region.

"The poultry industry is very safe and has not been affected by the bird flu outbreak. The Uganda poultry breeders, commercial farmers and broiler producers are located at a safe distance from the outbreak and these are safe compartments producing one day old chicks, eggs and best chicken for export," he said

 "Measures are being taken at national, district and farm level to minimize this outbreak and containing it in the confirmed areas. I am proud of Uganda farmers, we have visited different farms and farmers are implementing protective and by safety measures against further out break of this disease as advised by the ministry and our poultry products are very safe," he said

Ssempijja further confirmed that no more wild birds have died since the first cases were reported three weeks ago.

Further still, Ssempijja revealed that there will be no vaccination for Ugandans against this type of bird flu, explaining that it is more common in birds and does not affect human beings much, and since it has been contained, the public needs to be patient as government works towards resolving the issue.