SA Trade Embargo Frustrates Brazilian Producers
SOUTH AFRICA - Brazilian pork producers have expressed their frustrations at South Africa's continued trade embargo on their meat exports.They say IBSA - the India, Brazil and South Africa forum aimed to create better trade between these countries - is not equipped to resolve trade disputes.
Brazilian pig farmers want to export their meat to South Africa, but an embargo on Brazilian pork is hampering such efforts, reports SABC News. South Africa imports most of its pork from the European Union which is more costly, and this defeats the objectives of IBSA. The forum was established to create better South-to-South relations, to increase trade between developing countries.
President of the Brazilian Pork Producers and Exporters Association Pedro de Camargo Neto says if IBSA was effective, it would not take long to resolve the issue. He adds that IBSA pays too much attention to political issues. Brazilian meat imports were suspended after a 'foot and mouth' disease outbreak in cattle, but the ban on exports to other countries has since been lifted. According to Neto, authorities reckon if there is a 'foot and mouth' outbreak, swine automatically lose value. But he says they consider the risk analysis they have conducted to be safe.
Pig farmers in Brazil say they are ready to resume exports to South Africa as soon as the embargo is lifted. Bilateral relations between South Africa and Brazil are excellent. However South Africa's imposed trade embargo on Brazilian pork remains a sticking point. In 2005 Brazil exported more than $30 million of pork to South Africa and they hope this trade will resume soon.