International trade: Customer Information Notes - APE/08/180
South Africa ban exports from the European Union due to dioxin contamination in the Republic of Ireland.
Purpose
1. To inform exporters that, following the dioxin incident in the Republic of Ireland, South Africa has suspended imports of animal products intended for human or animal consumption from the whole of the European Union (EU).
Background
2. The South African authorities wrote to the EU Commission on 9th December to advise that they have suspended imports of “meat and dairy products and other edible products of animal origin (including petfood)” from the whole of the EU as a result of the recent dioxin contamination incident in the Republic of Ireland..
3. South Africa have also stated that they will not issue any further veterinary import permits for affected products coming from EU member states.
4. The letter explains that consignments which have recently arrived or which are currently en route will be dealt with on a case by case basis. It goes on to say that consignments which have been put on the water after 12th December 2008 will be rejected and returned to the country of origin.
5. Our interpretation of the prohibition is that it relates only to products containing animal-derived ingredients which are intended for consumption by either humans or animals. The suspension does not appear to affect exports of live animals or birds, although we are attempting to obtain further clarification on this.
6. In the letter, EU member states have been asked not to issue any new health certificates for the affected commodities. It is for this reason that Defra has temporarily suspended veterinary health certificates for the export of animal products intended for human or animal consumption to South Africa.
Further enquiries
7. Please contact your Animal Health Divisional Office if you have any queries.
Issued by: International Animal Health
Page published: 12 December 2008