Johannesburg - The US is growing increasingly impatient with South Africa over its apparent foot-dragging in allowing American meat products into the country.
South Africa’s continued participation in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) – which allows millions of dollars of South African exports into the lucrative US market duty-free – largely depends on it lifting health restrictions on US beef, pork and chicken imports.
The US Congress earlier this year extended Agoa – due to expire in September – for another 10 years for the 38 other eligible African countries. But it specifically made South Africa’s continued participation dependent on lifting the restrictions on US meat imports – and also dropping legislation that would force foreign owners of security companies to sell at least 51 percent of the companies to South Africans.
South Africa has until September 30 to effect these changes or risk losing some or all of its Agoa benefits which have been highly beneficial to many South African exporters, especially car manufacturers.
Citing concerns about outbreaks of various diseases in US livestock, South Africa has banned all chicken imports for 15 years, all pork imports for 12 years and all beef imports for three years. But the US claims these fears are exaggerated.
On August 11, several US government agencies held a public hearing in Washington, as demanded by Congress, to determine whether South Africa had met the conditions of Congress for continuing participation in Agoa. South Africa clearly did not satisfy the US government. US officials demanded concrete evidence and not just the assurances that officials gave. A US source explained said:
“South Africa’s position has been that if there is one sick bird anywhere in the country, it will refuse to accept birds from anywhere in the US
.”
Foreign Bureau