South Africa Pledges Quick Implementation of Poultry Deal
The South African government will slash antidumping duties on 65,000 metric tons of U.S. bone-in poultry exports by the end of this year, the South African Trade and Agriculture departments said on Sept. 15 (here). The release said South Africa will also finalize “terms and conditions” to accept U.S. Food Safety Inspection Service export certificates by Oct. 15 in order to allow U.S. poultry exports by the end of 2015.
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Lawmakers and industry stakeholders have continued to push South Africa to follow through on commitments it made in the bilateral agriculture agreement struck in early June (see 1509140023). The South African duties have been in place on bone-in poultry for roughly 15 years, and South Africa issued the poultry ban in late 2014 due to avian influenza concerns. The agreement on export certificates complies with rules issued by the World Organization for Animal Health, said the release.
South Africa pledged to fully implement the administrative measures necessary to facilitate U.S. poultry exports. The U.S. and South Africa also continue to negotiate ways to open the South African market to use pork and beef. Veterinarians from both countries met in Pretoria on Sept. 14, the day before the South African announcement.