Press Release Embargo: None, for immediate release16September 2016

PRETORIA – The South African Pork Producers’ Organisation (SAPPO) has formally lodged an application with the Gauteng North High Court to have the imports of certain cuts of pork from America set aside. The application was lodged with the High Court on 5 September.

According to court papers, SAPPO is calling for the “reviewing and setting aside of the Side Letter on Pork Shoulder Importation from the United States of America to South Africa”, signed in January.

This agreement was signed between the US Department of Agriculture and the South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Chief Director of Animal Production and Health.

A date for the application to be heard has not yet been set.

This application comes after protracted trade negotiations with the US after it threatened to withhold trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) if imports of beef, chicken and pork were not allowed.

SAPPO believes the application to set aside the side letter is in the best interest of the South African pork industry, and that all pork imported from countries that are not free from Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) should be subject to the procedures of the Veterinary Procedural Notice (VPN42) for the importation of uncooked pork and pork products.

-ENDS-

Word count: 212 words

NOTES TO EDITORS

About SAPPO

The South African Pork Producers’ Organisation (SAPPO) is the mouthpiece of pork producers in South Africa. The organisation serves the South African pork producer by co-operating within the organised agricultural fraternity and by liaising with sectoral organisations and role-players within the supply chain of the meat industry, government and international interest groups.

SAPPO is a broad-based and dynamic service provider and facilitator, representing and supporting all South Africa’s pig farmers in their quest for profitability and sustainability.

SAPPO serves a small by dynamic industry consisting of:

Approximately 110400 sows owned by approximately 230 pig farmers, six stud breeders, and,153 registered pig abattoirs, applying modern technology to ensure a streamlined slaughtering process, responsible for the slaughtering of 2.8 million pigs annually.

For more information on SAPPO please visit

Follow us on Twitter on @PorkSouthAfrica

For more information please contact:

Simon Streicher

CEO

012361 3920