‘SA has made tremendous progress in resolving Agoa issues’ – Davies

Trade and Industry Minister, Dr Rob Davies, is currently in Libreville, Gabon, at the 14th African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) Forum which ends today.

Themed “Agoa at 15: Charting for a sustainable US-Africa Trade and Investment Partnership”, the event is held annually on a rotating basis between the United States and Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries.

Following an out-of-cycle review of the eligibility of South Africa to receive the benefits under Agoa, which is due to expire at the end of September, Davies has said that South Africa has made tremendous progress in addressing concerns that were raised by the US.

Various initiatives have been taken towards resolving market access issues relating to beef, pork and poultry, he said.

“On 24 June 2015, Cabinet took a decision to lift a trade restriction on cattle and products of bovine origin from countries that previously reported Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), including the US.

“Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Senzeni Zokwana, wrote to his US counterpart, Secretary Tom Vilsack, in August to announce that South Africa had lifted trade restrictions on cattle and products of bovine origin from the US,” said Minister Davies on Wednesday.

On the pork issue, the Minister said that the animal health authorities of both governments had been undertaking the necessary technical work to ensure safe trade from at least three diseases, namely, Trichinella, Porcine Reproductive & Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) and Aujesky.

“The two countries have made good progress on certificates on pork destined for unrestricted sale and for further processing. South Africa agreed that a significant number of recognisable pork cuts were categorised as low risk and were now accepted for unrestricted sale conditions.

“In short, South Africa has made significant progress and continues to make progress in addressing the market access interests and regulatory concerns of the US on beef, chicken and pork through an agreed framework and existing channels of communication with the United States,” said Minister Davies.

The Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with the United States trade representative, ambassador Michael Froman, US Congressional delegations, and the under secretary for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment, Cathy Novelli.

Additionally, South African ambassador to the US, Mninwa Mahlangu, is also attending the Forum which will conclude tomorrow.

The 13th Agoa Forum was hosted by the US in Washington in 2014.  – SAnews.gov.za