STC Number - 404
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South Africa's revised veterinary health certificates for the import of cattle, sheep and goats from Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland

Maintained by: South Africa
Raised by: Namibia
Supported by: Botswana; Eswatini
First date raised: March 2016 G/SPS/R/82 paras. 3.3-3.6
Dates subsequently raised:
Number of times subsequently raised: 0
Relevant documents: G/SPS/N/ZAF/40 RD/SPS/28/Rev.1
Products covered: 01 Live animals
Primary subject keyword: Animal Health
Keywords: Animal health; Control, Inspection and Approval Procedures; International Standards / Harmonization
Status: Resolved
Solution: In November 2017, information was received from Namibia on the resolution of this STC (RD/SPS/28/Rev.1, of 19 February 2018).
Date reported as resolved: 02/11/2017

Extracts from SPS Committee meeting summary reports

In March 2016, Namibia expressed its concern over South Africa's revised veterinary health certificates for the import of cattle, sheep and goats from Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland, as notified in G/SPS/N/ZAF/40. Namibia reported that since placing this STC on the agenda, bilateral discussions had taken place and a roadmap towards reaching an amicable solution had been agreed upon. Agreed outcomes of the bilateral meeting included the date of finalisation of standard operating procedures for livestock imports from Namibia, a meeting of relevant authorities prior to finalisation, and agreement that Ministers of Agriculture would provide feedback to industry, with a joint session to be held at the end of April 2015 to endorse the procedures. Namibia remained confident that this bilateral process would result in an amicable solution for both parties, and would keep the Committee informed on progress made in this regard.

Botswana supported Namibia's concern and proposed an amendment to item 2(a) of the Cattle Export Certificate for it to better reflect Articles 11.8.3-11.8.4 of the OIE Terrestrial Code as the condition prescribed in South Africa's notification was more stringent.

Swaziland also shared this concern and stated that the new requirements increased administrative and financial burdens on small-scale farmers. Swaziland looked forward to solve the issue bilaterally, within the agreed timelines. Swaziland encouraged South Africa to engage with the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) prior to imposing revisions to the measure in the future.

South Africa confirmed that bilateral consultations had taken place. South Africa stressed that a comment period had been provided and encouraged interested Members to engage bilaterally if they had any further comments.

In November 2017, the Secretariat informed that in September 2017 it had contacted all Members who had raised specific trade concerns (STCs) that had not been discussed in the previous year, to request an update on their status. In furtherance of this request, information was received from Namibia on the resolution of this STC. Namibia confirmed resolution of this STC. The Secretariat indicated that the information received had been circulated in document RD/SPS/28 of 31 October 2017 (RD/SPS/28/Rev.1 of 19/02/2018), and that the SPS IMS would be updated on this basis, using the date of the November 2017 SPS Committee meeting as the date of resolution of the relevant STCs.