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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