South Africa ready for 60,000 tonnes of U.S. poultry
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The poultry is being brought to South Africa as part of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which gives the US access to South African markets and allows South Africa duty-free access to certain US markets.
South Africa, though, has until March 15 to allow the US poultry products into the country or face losing its AGOA benefits. South Africa last year raised concerns over health issues with regards to US meat and poultry products being brought in and refused to allow the products in until the health issues were resolved.
The U..S, though, threatened to suspend South Africa's AGOA membership if the country did not speed up the meat and poultry imports.
The health issues were later resolved and South Africa has been given until March 15 to allow the poultry products into the country.
The Association of Meat Importers and Exporters of SA's Deon Wolport said that he expected the poultry products to arrive in the next two weeks. ■