![\"iol](\"http:\/\/www.iol.co.za\/polopoly_fs\/iol-news-09-dec-dv-ostrich-farmers-and-bird-flu-pic-1.1195889!\/image\/751925868.jpg_gen\/derivatives\/box_300\/751925868.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\n
The ostrich industry around Oudtshoorn is under threat due to bird flu<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Up to 50 000 ostrich farmers face a black Christmas as bird flu threatens to wipe out the Cape\u2019s R800 million industry.<\/p>\n
The Karoo is the ostrich capital of the world.<\/p>\n
But it is now on the verge of collapse after a devastating outbreak of H5N2, or avian influenza.<\/p>\n
Up until now, farmworkers have been surviving on UIF benefits.<\/p>\n
However, they had their final payment last month and are now facing ruin.<\/p>\n
Ragel Arries,38, is one of the 39 laid off in June this year at Highgate Ostrich Show Farm.<\/p>\n
A devastated Ragel now says she has no idea where her next meal will come from.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease Lord, put food on our tables this Christmas and don\u2019t let the farms close down permanently,\u201d she tells the Daily Voice.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cI received my last UIF benefit payment last month and that was my only income since June.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t have any money to buy anything for Christmas.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been working for 14 years at Highgate and this is going to be the first Christmas without food on the table.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t even know how to tell my two kids that they won\u2019t be getting presents this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
The avian crisis hit the Karoo region around Oudtshoorn in April this year.<\/p>\n
It led to the culling of 38 000 ostriches and staggering losses in the region of R800 million in revenue to the industry.<\/p>\n
In terms of the international law on farms testing positive for the virus, the industry was required to slaughter the infected birds.<\/p>\n
The region was placed under strict quarantine and an immediate ban was imposed by the European Union (EU) on the export of ostrich meat from SA.<\/p>\n
This ban affected 40 farms in the Klein Karoo.<\/p>\n
Since June, thousands of farmworkers have been laid off.<\/p>\n
Highgate is one the oldest Ostrich show farms in Oudtshoorn and one of the biggest local tourist attractions.<\/p>\n
But after 73 years in operation, it is now on the verge of shutting its doors permanently next month if the EU ban is not lifted.<\/p>\n
Worker Ben van der Merwe, 45, says he is praying for \u201ca miracle\u201d: \u201cThis farm has been a lifeline for many generations and without this farm we don\u2019t know what is going to happen to us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Farm owner Arnold Hooper says he will have no option but to close the farm unless there is a dramatic improvement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe tourists are one of our major sources of income and since June, the numbers dropped significantly,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
Johan Keller, a farmer and Klein Karoo representative on the Western Cape Agriculture Board, says thousands of farmers and workers face ruin.<\/p>\n
He and his brother Viljee had to cull 4 500 of their birds due to the virus.<\/p>\n
\u201cFarmers, the tourist industry and the entire Oudtshoorn are affected by the outbreak,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ostrich industry is the heartbeat of the Klein Karoo economy and for the past months there has been no real income because of the ban.<\/p>\n
\u201cWater shortage is also another problem facing Oudtshoorn and if there is no water or ostriches then a curtain hangs over whole town.\u201d – Daily Voice<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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