Poultry Imports to SA to Resume After US Threat to Withdraw

CAPE TOWN – After several weeks where it seemed South Africa might lose a huge American agricultural contract, it has signed an agreement with the United States to resume imports of 65,000 tons of chicken a year, according to news reports on Tuesday.

The US had threatened to suspend trade benefits for South African farm products earlier this month, in retaliation against a SA clamp-down on poultry imports, reports said.

The US wanted to supply the local market with cheap poultry products duty-free, but South Africa was concerned the outbreak of avian flu in the US would pose animal and human health risks.

On Tuesday the Department of Trade and Industries said that a deal between US and SA veterinarians paved the way for the US to resume exporting 65,000 tons of chicken to SA. Minister Rob Davies said later in the day SA was a step closer to keeping its African Growth and Opportunties Act (AGOA) status with the US, referring to the US programme designed to help African exporters.

President Barack Obama said on 5 November that he planned to revoke the duty-free status in 60 days for South African agriculture produce, including oranges and macadamia nuts, unless they took action to smooth poultry exports.

News reports said the agreement will see the US emerge as one of the top poultry exporters to South Africa.