(ISO 17020) certificate
19 November 2007
The Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment (GDACE)
Veterinary Public Health directorate has been awarded certification from the
International Standards Organisation (ISO) in recognition for the high
standards of the work it does in the meat industry.
This is the first time in the history of ISO that this certificate is
awarded to an African country. The certificate has been issued in recognition
of the high standards, which accords to international standards, that the unit
maintains in inspecting and ensuring that the meat supplied by abattoirs in
Gauteng is of high standard and free from diseases. Distribution and
consumption of meat and meat products inspected using inferior standards could
lead to serious conditions such as epileptic seizures and paralysis.
The ISO 17020 recognition, giving assurance of the quality of meat and meat
products distributed from recognised abattoirs, is expected to contribute
towards further boosting the country's standing in the international markets
and to the provincial government's strategic goal of stimulating economic
development and creation of jobs within the sector. The quality assurance also
contributes towards the provincial strategic objective of developing healthy,
appropriately skilled and productive communities.
The certificates will be presented to the department by the South African
National Accreditation System (Sanas) and accepted by the Gauteng MEC for
Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, Khabisi Mosunkutu.
The certification ceremony will take place as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 20 November 2007
Time: 10h00
Venue: Diamond Corner building, 8th Floor Boardroom
68 Eloff Street, corner Market Street, Johannesburg
Enquiries:
Sizwe Matshikiza
Tel: 011 355 1316
Cell: 082 778 9996
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, Gauteng
Provincial Government
19 November 2007
