South Africa and the United States have agreed to facilitate deliberations between the South Africa Poultry Association (SAPA) and the US Poultry and Egg Export Council towards finalisation of discussions on market access for US chicken bone-in cuts into South Africa. The meeting will take place on 4-5 June 2015 in Paris, France, on the margins on the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting to be attended by Minister Davies and Ambassador Froman.

Both governments’ remain committed to work with their respective poultry industry to find an amicable solution. A bilateral engagement between Minister Davies and Ambassador Froman is scheduled for 5 June 2015 to brief them on developments.

The meeting is a follow-up to the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement Council meeting co-chaired by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Rob Davies and the United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Michael Froman on 16 April 2015 in Washington D.C.

Meanwhile, Minister Davies told Members of Parliament during his Budget Vote on Thursday, that he had been concerned about the terms of the US on South Africa’s re-entry into Agoa. He said he had always argued that “why fix it, when it ain’t broken”.

This follows the US Senate decision of passing a Bill that provides for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to be extended for a period of 10 years with South Africa included.

“New provisions in the Bill however strengthen the conditionalities that will apply and clearly seek to chart a course “to transform the relationship between the US and Africa from non-reciprocal concessions to reciprocal agreements,” said Minister Davies.

However, Davies said despite these challenges he is optimistic that next month meeting in Paris could resolve the chicken impasse between the South Africa Poultry Association (SAPA) and the US Poultry and Egg Export Council.