The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies met with the United States Trade Representative Ambassador Mr Michael Froman in Libreville‚ Gabon to assess progress on issues that were raised during the out of cycle review of South Africa to receive the benefits under African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).  The meeting took place on the margins of the 14th African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum currently held in Gabon.

The concerns relate to the United States market access on Pork, Beef, and Poultry into South Africa. The meeting expressed satisfaction with the fact that South Africa has made significant progress towards resolving the Pork and Beef market access.

In June this year, Cabinet lifted a trade restriction on cattle and products of bovine origin from countries that previously reported Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), including the US. Furthermore, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), Mr Senzeni Zokwana wrote to his US counterpart to announce that South Africa had lifted trade restrictions on cattle and products of bovine origin from the US.

On the pork issue, South Africa agreed that a significant number of recognizable pork cuts were categorized as low risk and were now accepted for unrestricted sale conditions.

Discussions are on-going on an additional list of cuts of interest to the Unites States. However, some additional work still needs to be done on Poultry, and officials at the technical level will meet later next month to try to resolve the outstanding issues.

Both Minister Davies and Ambassador Froman have committed to ensure that the matter is resolved amicably and expeditiously.

Issued by The Department of Trade and Industry