SA won't be strong-armed into resuming US chicken imports: Minister
Trade and Industry Minister, Rob Davies says although South Africa has delayed in lifting barriers of poultry import from the US, the country will not be pushed into making a premature decision.
US President, Barack Obama, has given our country 60 days to lift risk or risk losing about R98-million worth of benefits under the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade where South Africa also benefits through exports of wine, fruit juice, citrus fruit, pulp.
South Africa halted the import of chicken from the US last December following a birdflu outbreak saying it wanted to ensure the meat met international health standards.
Addressing media in Cape Town this afternoon, Davies said despite the pressure being put by the US the final decision lies with veterinary experts and not government.
''Those vets have got to do their due diligence and satisfied themselves that what is going to be given as a certificate will mean that there is not a risk of the local poultry flock being infected by the avian flu flu. That's what they have to do.
''Now, has the process taken a little bit longer that we thought? Yes. Have we tried to make it happen more quickly? Yes!'' he said.
(File photo: Gallo Images)