(Ecofin Agency) - South Africa and USA just signed an agreement involving a yearly import of 65,000 tonnes of American chicken. This agreement which was reached a few months ago was under review because Pretoria had concerns about health regarding the avian flu which is currently hitting the US.

This last trick of South Africa to evade the US irritated the world giant who, through its president Barack Obama, hesitated not to threaten the rainbow nation of exclusion from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The spokesperson of South Africa’s industry and trade division welcomed the agreement saying it was proof that both parties were moving up the right path.

This agreement puts an end to a 15-years old dispute which started when South Africans decided in 2000 to impose ‘anti-dumping’ duties of above 100% on chicken products imported from the US, a decision which had for long been contested by Washington. With this agreement, US will now be ranked among South Africa’s main chicken importers.

Aaron Akinocho