visits the United States of America
11 December 2006
The Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs, Ms Lulama Xingwana, visited
the United States of America from 5 to 9 December 2006. On the visit she met
with her counterpart, the Secretary of Agriculture in the United States (US),
Mr Mike Johanns; Mr Boast, US Ambassador to South Africa who used to be one of
the Under Secretaries at US Department of Agriculture (USDA) prior to his
appointment to South Africa; Dr Andrew Knipling, Administrator of Agriculture
Research Service (ARS) and members from Animal and Plant Health Service
(APHIS).
Main issues for discussion were:
* bilateral talks to revive the South Africa � USA Agriculture Working Group
to promote trade between the two countries
* update on the World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks including the US Farm Bill
2007 and its impact on the Doha negotiations
* Agricultural Research Co-operation and proposal to revive the Professional
Development Programme (PDP) � a programme which involved USDA, Department of
Agriculture's (DoA), ARS, the Agriculture Research Council of South Africa and
some US universities
* plant health issues, Citrus and table grapes to the United States
* animal health, both APHIS and Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS).
During the first half of next year trade in citrus, table grapes, apples and
beef between the two countries should be enhanced, based on the outcomes of the
meetings. The Minister also attended a Consultative Group on International
Agricultural Research Business meeting, with about 100 agricultural scientists,
executive directors at the Bank and two Vice Presidents of Region at the World
Bank.
The Minister also met Congressman Jim McDermott (Democrat) who is the author
of the present and proposed African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA/ AGOAIII)
and Congresswoman Kilpatrick who will be chairing the Congressional Black
Caucus (CBC) in the next Congress and the incoming chair of the Agriculture
Committee in the US Congress. On AGOA, we are positive that this will allow
Africa to have a more beneficial trade relationship in with the US.
The talks were mostly in a positive spirit, and should lead to better trade
and market access between the two countries and rest of the continent under
AGOA.
Enquiries:
Steve Galane
Tel: (012) 319 7312
Cell: 083 635 7346
E-mail:smais@nda.agric.za
Issued by: Ministry of Agriculture
11 December 2006
