South African meats regain export status

South Africa, which was the largest meat market for Namibian livestock until the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak which shut off its borders from exportation has successfully negotiated partial or full import deals with Namibia and a number of other trading partners.

The South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) announced that exports has resumed in a number of trading partners. Beef exports to Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan, Lesotho, Qatar, UAE and Swaziland has resumed.

FMD-free Pork trade has been successfully negotiated with Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland, Seychelles and as was earlier mentioned Namibia. Namibia however only agreed to import products that were produced before 5th of December, 2018.

The Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in January meant that South Africa no longer has its ‘FMD-free status.’ However, efforts to contain the spread of the virus have proven successful as no new case of FMD has been recorded.

According to reports from the Ruminant Veterinary Association of South Africa (RuVASA), containment zone had been put in place in Limpopo where the virus was discovered and efforts from the animal health sector had helped prevent the spread to other areas. 

This development will go a long way in restoring the FMD-free status to South Africa.