Regarding beef imports, South Africa had already removed the ban on the imports of US beef and had communicated this officially to the US.

The vets from the two sides agreed on the technical issues required to expedite the issuing of the necessary animal health certificate to allow for the import of beef meat from the US.

On pork, while the South African market for pork is open to the US, the two sides shared information on the technical requirements for the importation of cuts that were of interest to the US.

South Africa also discussed some issues where it had an ongoing interest in exporting its own animal products to the US, including beef and ostrich meat.

The US provided South Africa with information on the technical requirements for access to the US market and agreed to expedite and facilitate the process towards obtaining the necessary health certificates for these products.

“South Africa remains fully committed to the full implementation of the letter and spirit of the agreements reached in Paris between the US and SA in June on the issues related to AGOA. The process is irreversible.”

The African Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA) is a preferential agreement that has been in place since 2000 between the US and Sub Saharan African countries. The current AGOA is due to expire at the end of September