South Africa, US resolve poultry imports issues
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Minister Siyabonga Cwele said the ironing out of issues had paved the way for the continuation of African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) benefits for South Africa’s agricultural exports into the US market.
“South Africa is working with the relevant stakeholders to facilitate the first shipment of US poultry imports under the agreed quota,” Minister Cwele said at the International Cooperation, Trade and Security cluster briefing on Tuesday.
Agoa is a legislation that provides duty-free market access to the US for qualifying sub-Saharan African countries by extending preferences on more than 4,600 products.
President Barack Obama announced last month that South Africa’s agricultural benefits under Agoa would be suspended from March 15, if certain terms on key areas related to the importation of U.S. meat were not met, despite the two countries reaching agreement on all outstanding issues. ■