Argentina has signed a joint declaration with South Africa establishing strategic priorities for the bilateral agricultural agenda, with a strong focus on facilitating safe trade and enhancing technical cooperation between the two nations. The agreement was announced during the official visit of South African Minister of Agriculture John Henry Steenhuisen to Argentina.
The declaration marks a significant step in expanding agricultural and commercial relations between the two countries, particularly in areas related to animal health, trade access, and research collaboration.
Focus on Reopening South Africa’s Poultry Market
One of the key issues discussed during the meeting was the importance of South Africa as an export destination for Argentina’s poultry sector. Argentine officials emphasized the need to reopen the South African market for poultry exports following Argentina’s recovery of its sanitary status as a country free from avian influenza.
Minister Steenhuisen and Argentine authorities agreed to prioritize the review of the technical documentation submitted by Argentina to support the reopening process. Both countries also highlighted the importance of implementing a zoning approach in sanitary management, which would help minimize disruptions to trade in the event of localized disease outbreaks.
Enhanced Cooperation on Animal Health
Argentina and South Africa reaffirmed their commitment to deepening technical cooperation in animal health, recognizing Argentina’s expertise in the eradication and control of foot-and-mouth disease.
As part of this initiative, both governments agreed to develop a technical work agenda focused on knowledge exchange and capacity building related to:
- Foot-and-mouth disease prevention and control
- Avian influenza monitoring and management
- Veterinary sanitary protocols and disease surveillance
Specialized teams from both countries will participate in these collaborative efforts to strengthen animal health systems and improve disease response capabilities.
INTA and ARC Sign Research Cooperation Agreement
In support of broader agricultural collaboration, Argentina’s National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) and South Africa’s Agricultural Research Council (ARC) signed a cooperation agreement aimed at promoting:
- Joint agricultural research projects
- Technological innovation in the agri-food sector
- Capacity building and knowledge transfer
- Development of new agricultural technologies
The agreement is expected to foster closer scientific collaboration between the two institutions and create opportunities for innovation in both countries’ agricultural sectors.
Progress on Sanitary Certifications for Agri-Food Trade
Regarding broader agri-food trade, officials also discussed ongoing efforts to update sanitary certifications in response to the emergence of scrapie, a disease affecting sheep and goats.
The re-adaptation of these certifications is intended to:
- Facilitate market access for agricultural products
- Ensure compliance with international sanitary standards
- Maintain high levels of food safety and animal health assurance
High-Level Participation from Both Delegations
The meeting included senior representatives from Argentina’s Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, the National Service for Agrifood Health and Quality (SENASA), INTA, and the Argentine Foreign Ministry.
The South African delegation included officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, among them:
- Botlhe Michael Modisane, Director General of Production and Animal Health
- Litha Magigxa, Chief Executive Officer of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC)
Representatives from the private agricultural sector also participated in the discussions.
Strengthening Bilateral Agricultural Relations
The agreements reached during Minister Steenhuisen’s visit reflect a shared commitment by Argentina and South Africa to deepen agricultural ties, improve market access, and strengthen cooperation in animal health and agricultural innovation.
As both countries continue to expand collaboration across trade and research, the new framework could open fresh opportunities for exporters, producers, and agricultural institutions in both markets.
If successfully implemented, the initiatives announced may significantly enhance bilateral agri-food trade while reinforcing sanitary standards and scientific cooperation between two major agricultural economies in the Southern Hemisphere.