Minister Senzeni Zokwana met with industry stakeholders affected by trade related to exports of poultry, beef and pork meat from the USA to South Africa
Today, Minister Senzeni Zokwana hosted a meeting to brief the affected agricultural industry stakeholders on the outcomes of the recent intensive negotiations around South Africa eligibility to Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
The meeting was attended by a variety of stakeholders including representatives of the Red Meat Industry Forum including the Emerging Red Meat Producers Organisation, South African Pork Producers Organisation, South African Poultry Association, African Farmers of South Africa (AFASA), Agri SA and Association of Meat Importers and Exporters.
This provided a platform for these industries to be informed, discuss and be clarified on the agreements between USA and SA.
Minister Zokwana stated that the objective of the meeting was to ensure that all affected stakeholders were of the same understanding in respect to the recent negotiations between South Africa and the USA on key areas related to the importation of poultry, beef and pork from the USA to South Africa, their outcomes and the Proclamation made by President Barack Obama.
Minister Zokwana stressed the importance of maintaining a close partnership between the department and its stakeholders not only during this time but as the norm.
The industry commended the department for their handling of the negotiations and convening the feedback briefing session.
The Veterinarians were also commended for maintaining their technical integrity throughout the process as this negotiation had created undue pressures because of the importance that African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) had for the country as a whole. Participants agreed that meeting the March 15 deadline was important and the department committed to ensuring that they will again work tirelessly to make sure that the deadline is met.
The meeting ended on a high positive note with a commitment to work together as a country including ensuring that opportunities in terms of the Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment are met in this process. In addressing some industry concerns, Minister further committed to intensify efforts to expand international market access for South African agricultural commodities.
For more information please contact:
Bomikazi Molapo
Cell: 078 8013711
E-mail: BomikaziM@daff.gov.za
