He says Congress is moving to pass legislation on the issue and it could be very soon.

US officials who were at trade talks with their South African counterparts in Washington last week say blocking imports of US beef, pork and poultry is a stumbling block to South Africa’s participation in the African Growth and Opportunity Act currently being renewed.

For 15 years, AGOA’s given imports from democratic African countries privileged access to the US market.

South Africa’s been the most extensive user.

But blocking meat imports from the US could leave it out of the new AGOA.

Ambassador Patrick Gaspard says the US wants South Africa to be part of AGOA, but Congress has made clear doing so will depend on South Africa resolving the remaining issues.

The post Time pressing for SA entering new AGOA, says US ambassador appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

But they say there’s looming deadline from Congress drawing up new legislation.

South Africa imports R6 billion worth of beef, pork and chicken.

Yet it blocks these meats from the United States, citing health and anti-dumping considerations.

US producers are saying this precludes South Africa from being part of the new African Growth and Opportunity architecture giving tax free admission to the American market for African democracies.

South African trade officials were in Washington last week trying to clear this logjam.

Officials there are saying real progress was made.

But the timeteable is being dictated by Congress which gives no space for delay.

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