Case Study: SPS Issues and Regional Trade in ... - OIE Africa

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APPENDIX 2: DOCUMENTATION AND PROCEDURES REQUIRED FOR THEIMPORTATION OF MEAT AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS INTO SOUTH AFRICA 39The Directorate Veterinary Services in South Africa administers the Animal Diseases ActNo 35 of 1984. The Import Export Policy Unit of the Directorate Veterinary Services alsoadministers the sections of the Meat Safety Act No 40 of 2000 and regulations that applyto the importation of meat. The importation of animals and animal products from individualcountries is evaluated in accordance with these Acts, international standards and otherrequirements.List of Approved EstablishmentsFrozen and chilled meat may only be imported from establishments (abattoirs and cuttingplants) approved by the Director Veterinary Services of South Africa. The list is alsoavailable on the url link to Approved Establishments in the Veterinary Services website.The veterinary authorities in countries exporting meat to South Africa routinely inspectapproved establishments. The Directorate is notified as soon as a plant no longer complieswith the stipulated requirements. The listing of an establishment does not necessarilyimply that the Directorate will allow the importation of a particular meat or meat productfrom that country. For example, the listing of an establishment as a red meat plant doesnot imply that the Directorate will allow the importation of beef, mutton and pork from thatplant or country.Listing of Additional EstablishmentsIn order to obtain approval for an additional abattoir or cutting plant (in countries alreadyexporting to South Africa) the owner or manager of the establishment must contact theveterinary administration in the country where it is situated. The relevant veterinaryauthorities will then inspect the establishment on behalf of the South African government.If the establishment complies with South African requirements, the veterinaryadministration (head office) sends confirmation to the South African Veterinary Servicesthat the inspection has been completed. Meat may only be produced at the establishmentfor export to South Africa once the South African Veterinary Services have confirmed theapproval in writing to the relevant veterinary administration.Veterinary Import PermitNo animal or animal product (including samples) may be imported without obtaining aveterinary import permit from the South African Veterinary Services. The importer must bein possession of the veterinary import permit before the consignment departs from thecountry of origin. Import permits for animal products (e.g. meat) imported for commercialpurposes are only issued to companies residing in South Africa or an agent in South Africaappointed by an international company. (The reason being the difficulty of initiating legalproceedings against foreign individuals or companies). Import requirements vary accordingto product and the animal health situation in individual countries.Veterinary Health CertificateA veterinary health certificate, which is in compliance with the conditions stipulated by theSouth African veterinary import permit, must be obtained from the veterinary authorities inthe country of origin before the product is shipped. Imports via third countries are generallynot accepted.32
Ports of EntryThe veterinary import permit and the veterinary health certificate must be presented to therelevant authorities at the port of entry. Only original documents will be accepted. Meatmust be inspected at one of following inspection sites stipulated on the import permit.Importation from countries not exporting to South Africa at presentAn application to import meat from countries not exporting to South Africa at present (or toimport a particular product for the first time from a country exporting other animal productsto South Africa) is evaluated in terms of the relevant legislation, international standardsand other requirements. South Africa is an active member of an international network ofveterinary administrations. Through these international contacts the South AfricanVeterinary Services receive regular reports on the disease status of other countries.Disease reports are received from the OIE and by direct contact with the veterinaryadministrations in the exporting countries.Trade is based on a series of requirements, which the importing country considersappropriate to prevent the entry of diseases. The regulating authority in the importingcountry always requires someone independent of commercial involvement in the exportingcountry to act as its agent to ensure that its import requirements are appropriate for thetrade and that they are complied with when an export takes place. The Directorate ofVeterinary Services specifies that this must be its equivalent government agency. In somecircumstances it may be considered sufficient for the process to be audited by thegovernment body. The draft conditions of trade are drawn up by the Directorate VeterinaryServices and represent the Directorate‟s perceptions of the exporting country's animalhealth status. The conditions usually reflect the concerns of the South African agriculturalindustries and own livestock disease status. Because the industries perceptions are notalways well-founded, considerable negotiation often takes place to try to reduce therequirements to the lowest level compatible with the maintenance of adequate agriculturalsecurity.The animal disease situation in a country is first evaluated using OIE reports and otherinformation available internationally. Depending on the outcome it is decided whetherfurther consideration should be given to the importation of a product from a certaincountry. If the outcome is favorable the next step is usually to send a questionnaire to theveterinary administration. After the response to the questionnaire has been received andevaluated, the South African Veterinary Services decide whether an inspection visit toevaluate the animal disease situation, veterinary control and surveillance programs shouldbe planned and budgeted for. The inspection of establishments can be done during thesame visit, but will usually only be considered if the animal health situation appears to befavorable. Inspection visits are planned and budgeted for, each financial year (starting 1April). It is usually very difficult to deviate from this schedule. Before planning an inspectionvisit our Directorate requires the following from the Chief Veterinary Officer of theprospective exporting country:1 An official invitation2 A day-by-day itinerary.3 Confirmation that the establishments (abattoirs, cutting plants, etc) have beeninspected and, in their opinion, could comply with our requirements [Meat SafetyAct, 2000 (Act 40 of 2000) and the regulations promulgated there-under]A major part of the risk analysis aims to confirm the reliability of statements made by theveterinary authority in the exporting country and by the industry organizations in that33
Page 1 and 2: Case Study: SPS Issues and Regional
Page 3 and 4: 5.1 FMD Control Measures ..........
Page 5 and 6: EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe trade in anima
Page 7 and 8: (TAHC) and the Aquatic Animal Healt
Page 9 and 10: Figures 1 and 2: Estimated distribu
Page 11 and 12: penetrate South Africa market due t
Page 13 and 14: A survey in November 1991 revealed
Page 15 and 16: Figure 5: Carrying capacity map for
Page 17 and 18: 3.3.2 Disease control servicesVeter
Page 19 and 20: Table 9: Exports of live animals an
Page 21: to that of SADC and as such they en
Page 24: notifications and of these only two
Page 28 and 29: the livestock sector of SADC, 6 SAD
Page 30 and 31: APPENDIX 1: CONTACT DETAILS OF SADC
Page 34 and 35: country which requires a detailed k
Page 36 and 37: abattoirs in regions that are not o
Page 38 and 39: REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY1 See
Page 40: 42 Canadian Food Inspection Agency

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