In a week that saw the US threaten to throw South Africa out of its favoured trade programme in the region, Johannesburg has come back into the fold after relaxing its stance on American poultry imports.
US President Barack Obama had previously set 2015 as a deadline for the two nations to solve their long-running dispute over poultry testing standards.
Deal worth $75m
The majority of American poultry imports bound for South Africa have been banned for 15 years, with the country expressing concern over the risk of diseases such as avian influenza (AI) and salmonella. But now that a business relationship has been established, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said shipments of red meat and poultry to South Africa could generate up $75m per year.
On Thursday 7 January, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack hailed the breakthrough between the two nations.
“This is good news for American farmers, ranchers and poultry, pork and beef companies. We welcome this move by South Africa and will continue our efforts to break down barriers and expand access for high-quality, safe and wholesome US food and agricultural products around the world,” he said.
“With this agreement, South Africa reaffirms the scientific soundness and integrity of the US system for ensuring animal health and food safety, and this will result in high-quality US meat and poultry being available for South African consumers.”
‘Demonised’
A joint statement from Jim Sumner, president of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) and National Chicken Council (NCC) president Mike Brown, said: “Although success will ultimately be realised when US chicken is imported into South Africa, today’s announcement is a positive step to bringing increased economic benefits to US chicken farmers and companies across the country.”
Earlier, David Wolpert, CEO of the Association of Meat Importers and Exporters of SA (AMIE) lambasted South Africa’s Poultry Association (SAPA) which, he said, had “dragged their heels and demonised the Americans [in negotiations] over poultry imports”.