Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 6/8/15


In a joint statement after two days of talks in Paris, U.S. and South African officials announced agreement on a framework to provide for renewed market access for U.S. bone-in chicken into the South African market.

The governments also agreed “to a firm set of actions this month to resolve the remaining sanitary issues related to poultry, pork, and beef,” according to the statement issued by the office of the U.S. Trade Representative. 

The framework provides for the return of exports to South Africa of U.S. bone-in chicken after the two governments complete necessary implementation steps. The South African government will implement the framework following a public consultation process.

“While both sides recognize it may take some time for the South African government to complete its regulatory process, both sides are committed to expedite processes and resume shipments of U.S. chicken as quickly as possible. Both governments and industries have committed to further engagements on development issues that will enhance production in South Africa as well as participation of Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDIs) into the poultry industry,” according to the statement. 

U.S. Ambassador to South Africa Patrick Gaspard led the U.S. delegation, accompanied by senior officials from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the USDA. Mike Brown, president of the National Chicken Council (NCC), and Jim Sumner, president of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC), represented the U.S. industry.

A long time coming
The agreement addresses antidumping duties South Africa imposed on U.S. poultry products in 2000, shortly after the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) was enacted. The duties were based on a pricing system that values all parts of the chicken the same.

The U.S. government seized the opportunity of the AGOA coming up for renewal to pressure South Africa on the poultry issue. In April, Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) introduced AGOA reauthorization legislation aimed at preventing countries from receiving benefits under the program while imposing unfair limits on American imports.

“This agreement will allow the two governments to set a positive path forward for the countries’ trade and investment relationship building two-way U.S.-South Africa trade, including under AGOA, and using tools such as the U.S.-South Africa Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) to address the outstanding issues,” the joint government statement said.
“We look forward to working with our government and the South Africans on implementing this important agreement,” read a joint USAPEEC and NCC joint statement. “The real winners will be South Africa’s consumers who will soon have access to additional and affordable protein choices.”

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