South African pork producers worry that, as part of a new trade deal, the United States might pressure South Africa into relaxing its stringent pork import restrictions.
South Africa has a longstanding ban on US pork imports due to the prevalence of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) in American pig herds, Freight News reports.
With the Trump administration seeking bilateral trade deals as a condition of relaxing the high tariffs it has imposed on countries around the world, the South African Pork Producers Organisation (Sappo) fears that pork might be on the negotiating menu.
“PRRS is a highly contagious disease that affects pigs’ growth and development. South Africa is among a select group of countries that have remained free of PRRS, and Sappo is determined to maintain this status,” Freight News said.
“Sappo chief executive Dr Peter Evans said that there were reports indicating US frustration with South Africa’s stringent import protocols, which were grounded in scientific assessments aimed at preventing PRRS from entering the country.”
Currently, South Africa imports approximately 50 000 tons of pork annually, primarily from PRRS-free countries like Brazil, Canada and certain European Union nations.
The country also exports about 5% of its pork production, mainly to neighbouring African countries.
