SA relents on US chicken import duties

Trade and industry minister, Dr Rob Davies, is hopeful that the move to end antidumping duties on United States chicken and renew imports will help pave the way for South Africa’s inclusion in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa), which is currently under US Senate review. Davies reportedly said that the deal – which would see the renewal of an initial amount of 65 000 tonnes of poultry imports from the US – was “within the tolerance of the (South African poultry) industry and is something we can all live with”. “We look forward to working with our government and the South Africans on implementing this important agreement,” the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council and the National Chicken Council said in a joint statement. CAPTION Dr Rob Davies