In the matter heard in the north Gauteng high court earlier today, between the Red Meat Industry Forum and the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and 11 others. The parties agreed not to issue any permit for the importation of live sable antelope until such time as the steps for import risk analysis have been concluded to follow due process in terms of the Animal Diseases Act, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines, and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement.
Furthermore, the government is committed to uphold international protocol and guidelines that pertain to the trade on cloven hoofed animals as well as our national legislation.
We are committed to the implementation of the highest standard of sanitary and phytosanitary agreement which is central for the global competitiveness of our agricultural sector. This commitment, however, will not hinder the government policy and strategic imperative in pursuit of intra-African trade.
For more information contact:
Tsotso Sehoole
Tel: 012 319 6043 or 7317
Fax: 012 319 7858
Cell: 083 265 8728
E-mail: CCO@daff.gov.za
