In the context of his official visit to our country, South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, signed a joint declaration together with the Argentine Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Sergio Iraeta. The declaration sets out priority strategic issues for the bilateral agenda, with a focus on facilitating safe trade and strengthening technical cooperation.
In sanitary and trade matters, our country highlighted the importance of South Africa as an export destination for the poultry sector. It was agreed with Minister Steenhuisen to review, as a matter of priority, the technical documentation submitted for the reopening of the South African market, following Argentina’s recovery of its disease-free status for avian influenza. Both parties also agreed on the importance of working on a zoning approach as a key tool to prevent potential outbreaks from impacting trade.
Furthermore, both sides reaffirmed their willingness to deepen technical cooperation, recognizing our country’s experience as a benchmark in the eradication and control of foot-and-mouth disease. In this context, it was agreed to move forward with a technical work agenda that includes the exchange of knowledge and capacities on foot-and-mouth disease and avian influenza, with the participation of specialized teams from both countries.
In line with this objective, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) of Argentina and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) of South Africa, aimed at promoting joint research, technological innovation, and capacity building in the agricultural sector.
Finally, regarding the agri-food trade agenda, ongoing work was highlighted on the adjustment of sanitary certifications following the detection of scrapie (a disease affecting sheep and goats), with the aim of facilitating market access and ensuring sanitary standards in line with international requirements.
The meeting was attended by officials from the Secretariat, the Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASA), the Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), and Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The South African delegation, for its part, included representatives from the Department of Agriculture, including the Director General of Animal Production and Health, Botlhe Michael Modisane, the CEO of Odensterpoort Biological Products (OBP), and the CEO of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), Litha Magigxa, as well as representatives from the private agricultural sector through AFASA, AgriSA, and RMIS.
