Trade groups speaking for U.S. chicken and hog farmers asked the government to withdraw, or at a minimum restrict, trade benefits for South Africa until it provides more access for U.S. meat imports, reports Feedstuffs. The National Chicken Council and the National Pork Producers Council expressed their veiws at a hearing held by the U.S. trade representative’s office. South Africa shipped $3 billion in products to the U.S. market last year, dozens of which enjoyed duty-free status The Chicken Council said South Africa has blocked imports of U.S. poultry for 15 years. The NPPC said South Africa uses “harsh and unjustifiable” standards, in the name of disease prevention, to restrict pork imports.
South Africa agreed in June to end punitive duties on U.S. chicken and to allow imports of at least 65,000 tonnes a year, Reuters said. At the hearing on Friday, A USTR official said South Africa has yet to issue an export certificate, which is needed for shipments to begin, according to the Washington Trade Daily. South African Ambassador Mninwa Mahlangu said his country wanted to be sure the bird-flu epidemic was over before acting. The USTR also pressed Mahlangu on market acces for pork and beef, said Washington Trade Daily.