Veterinary experts from South Africa and the United States reached agreement on Monday on several animal health issues related to the import of poultry, pork and beef from the United States.
The parties agreed to finalise a protocol for the export of poultry meat and day-old chicks based on surveillance compliant with the OIE chapter on avian influenza in a specified area, biosecurity measures in specified premises, and traceability of products to slaughter establishments.
They also agreed to finalise terms and conditions and the USDA FSIS poultry certificate for export by October 15 to enable contracting and shipments of US poultry exports to South Africa prior to the end of 2015.
The poultry protocol will provide the technical basis to allow for the continued import of poultry from the non-affected areas in the US in the event of renewed outbreaks of avian influenza, according to the agreement.
South Africa has already removed the ban on US beef imports. The vets from both sides agreed on the technical issues required and further information needed to expedite the issuing of the necessary animal health certificate to allow for the import of beef from the US.
With regard to 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 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.
