By Lebone Rodah Mosima
South Africa and Egypt have concluded negotiations on a veterinary certificate that will allow South African red meat exports to the Egyptian market once final signatures are added.
Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp made the announcement at the Agri North West Congress on Thursday.
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The agreement centres on the Veterinary Health Certificate (VHC), which sets the regulatory requirements for South African red meat exports to Egypt.
Aucamp said the agreement was an important development for an industry grappling with a major foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.
“This is a major milestone for South Africa’s agricultural sector, which has been facing one of the biggest foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in decades,” Aucamp said.
“I sat with my team on Monday and emphasised that we have to get this right as our red meat farmers need this, and I am pleased that the team made it happen.”
Aucamp thanked the negotiating team for its efforts, saying government’s role was to support and enable the agricultural sector to succeed rather than act as a stumbling block.
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“The outcome of these negotiations was achieved through constructive engagement with the Egyptian veterinary authorities. Government remains committed to strengthening international trade relations and expanding market access opportunities for South Africa’s red meat sector,” he said.
The agreement aligns with government’s priority of inclusive economic growth and job creation, while supporting efforts to strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of the agricultural sector, the department said.
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Finalising the VHC will provide South African exporters with a regulatory framework for accessing the Egyptian market while ensuring animal health and food safety requirements are met.
The agreement also gives South African red meat producers and processors an opportunity to expand their operations, diversify export destinations and increase their contribution to the economy.
“Every international market South Africa opens creates an opportunity for money to flow back into the rural economy and build commerce along our value chains,” Aucamp said.
