SA eyeing new global markets for red meat exports, says minister

Industry had expressed concern about the standard, quality and independence of meat inspections

THE government was exploring new international markets for South Africa’s red meat exports, and the future looked bright, Agriculture Minister Senzeni Zokwana said yesterday.

Addressing the National Red Meat Abattoir Association conference in Somerset West yesterday, Zokwana said veterinary authorities from several countries had visited South Africa recently to evaluate vet controls for the sole purpose of importing South African meat.

These countries included Russia, Singapore, Egypt, Kenya, the US and countries from the EU.

“I am of the view that the future of our meat industry is bright. The department, in association with its partners, is currently exploring international markets through various bilateral and multilateral agreements with various countries,” he said.

Zokwana said food controls in the country had received “increasing and unprecedented attention” in recent years, which appeared to be in keeping with a global trend of consumers who were increasingly conscious of the quality and safety of foods they ate.

“Most recently, the mislabelling of imported and locally produced food products has been a subject of concern. In this regard, Parliament instructed the departments involved in regulatory controls of foods of animal origin to work together to propose holistic controls of food safety. Interdepartmental consultations between the Departments of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Health and Trade and Industry are ongoing in order to strengthen controls over imported and locally produced food products of animal origin,” Zokwana said.

The industry had expressed concern about the standard, quality and independence of meat inspections at abattoirs. Because of this, the Agriculture Department and the industry had consulted widely and drawn up a proposal on independent meat inspection. The department was now working on a place to implement the proposal.

Zokwana said agriculture was a catalyst for economic growth. The current contribution to GDP of 2.5 percent was far below the capacity of the sector.

“It should be noted, however, that the sector contributes another 12 percent to the GDP… from related manufacturing and processing,” Zokwana said.

“The secondary contribution of agriculture finds expression in sectors similar to yours and the Red Meat Abattoir Association is regarded as a vital stakeholder towards increasing the contribution of agriculture to the GDP.”