South Africa opens to more U.S. meat exports

The United States on Thursday reached an agreement with South African government to allow for the entry of most U.S. exports of poultry, pork and beef.    The United States on Thursday reached an agreement with South African government to allow for the entry of most U.S. exports of poultry, pork and beef.
   The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the agreement was reached “following intense U.S. government engagement with South African officials over the last year.”
   “Only a limited number of U.S. poultry and meat products have been exported to South Africa in recent years, due to unwarranted sanitary requirements by the South African authorities, with most poultry exports blocked for the last 15 years. With this renewed access for U.S. red meat and poultry products, U.S. exports to South Africa could generate $75 million of shipments annually,” USDA explained.
   “With this agreement, South Africa reaffirms the scientific soundness and integrity of the U.S. system for ensuring animal health and food safety, and this will result in high-quality U.S. meat and poultry being available for South African consumers,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a statement.