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continued... Act (Agoa), US Trade Representative NEWS
Michael Froman said on Wednesday.
them supply cyclists with protective sector, leading short-term insurer
gear that makes them less vulnerable The announcement puts an end to a Santam has donated R2 million to help
to injury and even death. Speaking longrunning dispute that came to a alleviate the financial hardship faced by
about the partnership, Caro Smit, head in November when US President both commercial and emerging
founder and Director of SADD said, "A Barack Obama gave SA 90 days to farmers.
considerable percentage of road open its market to US chicken, beef
deaths and injuries are those of and pork or lose duty-free access to In an announcement at Agri South
cyclists, many of whom are the US market for its own agricultural Africa's 2016 Commodities Congress,
impoverished and are forced to products. Santam Head of Agriculture, Gerhard
commute by bicycle to work through Diedericks said the donation would be
heavy traffic. So we really hope this The poultry dispute dates back to 2000 made to the National Drought Disaster
continued partnership will help when SA imposed prohibitive Relief Fund managed by Agri SA. The
highlight the need of support for antidumping duties on US chicken contribution will benefit not only
vulnerable cyclists in order to prevent parts. That was partially resolved last members of South Africa's four Agri
an increase in cycle-related deaths and June when SA agreed to give US industry bodies, but will include
injuries." exporters an annual 65,000 ton quota emerging farmers not belonging to any
at normal duty rates. The two sides organisation. Those that are most in
Alcohol Breathalysers continues, as is then deadlocked over health-related need of assistance will be prioritised.
their commitment, to engage relevant barriers, not only to US poultry, but
stakeholders on road safety, knowing also beef and pork. “ The persistent drought
and advocating for responsible road The resolution could be worth $160m
use by all: pedestrians, cyclists and annually to US exporters, Froman said. continues to have a knock-on
drivers. Pre- and post-Cape Town After missing Obama's deadline, SA effect on the local economy
Cycle Tour, Alcohol Breathalysers and reached final agreement with the US in and threatens the long-term
SADD will diseminnate information and early January. Obama then gave SA food security of our country...
engage various stakeholders on road until March 15 to meet one last
safety and related issues. benchmark: the physical availability of Farmers and communities dependent
US chicken for sale to SA consumers. on the agricultural sector for their
ABOUT ALCOHOL BREATHALYSERS: livelihoods are bearing the brunt of this
Alcohol Breathalysers is a leading On Tuesday, senator Chris Coons, the crisis. For Santam, lending support to
distributor in the Health & Safety Delaware Democrat who, with Georgia both individual farmers and farming
industry supplying the widest range of Republican senator Johnny Isakson groups is simply the right thing to do,”
breathalysers/ alcohol testers in South championed the US poultryindustry in Diedericks said.
Africa and beyond. The range of the dispute, distributed photographs
alcohol testing equipment includes showing bags of US chicken parts for He added Santam would continue to
high-volume breathalyser solutions for sale in a South African market. Before assist the farming community in
industrial environments, Law- Froman could make his managing the risks endangering the
Enforcement alcohol testers, Industrial announcement, last-minute sustainability of agricultural resources.
Handheld breathalysers, custom- uncertainties had to be resolved over “As the oldest insurer in the sector,
packed disposable breathalysers and the treatment of US pork shipments with over 85 years of extensive
the supply of personal breathalysers for once they landed in SA. These had experience in dealing with the highs
consumers and drivers. For more been worked out "within the past 24 and lows of agriculture, we understand
information, please visit hours", the trade representative said. the role farmers play in ensuring the
www.breathalysers.co.za and stability of food security.
www.breathscan.co.za Obama has still to issue a formal
proclamation announcing that SA has “Santam will continue to work with
CHICKEN IMPORTS END AGOA satisfied Agoa conditions, but Froman industry partners, brokers and
IMPASSE indicated that was now a formality. His organisations within the agricultural
office would, however, continue to sector to meet the challenges that lie
With the arrival of US frozen chicken monitor SA's compliance with the ahead. Collectively we need to do
portions in South African stores at the requirements of the act, which is not a much more to assist our struggling
weekend, Pretoria satisfied conditions trade agreement but a unilateral grant farming communities, and we urge our
for retaining UStrade privileges under of US market access to qualifying counterparts to show their support and
the African Growth and Opportunity countries. contribute to this critical cause,”
Diedericks concluded.
SANTAM REACHES OUT TO
DROUGHT VICTIMS 23
South Africans from all walks of life
have stepped forward in recent
months to assist farmers impacted by
the prolonged drought affecting large
parts of our country, with initiatives
ranging from water collection to the
supply of feed to hard-hit areas. In a
bid to boost the embattled agricultural
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