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South African Minister of Agriculture, John Henry Steenhuisen, visited Argentina. During his visit, Argentina's Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Ministry of Economy reported that the two countries signed a joint declaration establishing strategic priority issues for the bilateral agenda, with emphasis on facilitating secure trade and strengthening technical cooperation.
In the areas of health and trade, Argentina emphasized South Africa's importance as an export destination for its poultry sector. Minister Steenhuisen agreed to prioritize the analysis of the technical documentation submitted for the reopening of the South African market, following Argentina's regaining its influenza-free status. Both parties also agreed on the importance of working on a zoning approach as a key tool to mitigate the impact of potential outbreaks on trade.
Furthermore, the commitment to deepen technical cooperation was reaffirmed, recognizing the country's experience as a leader in the eradication and control of foot-and-mouth disease. In this context, it was agreed to move forward with a technical work agenda that includes the exchange of knowledge and capabilities related to foot-and-mouth disease and avian influenza, with the participation of specialized teams from both countries.
In line with this objective, a cooperation agreement was signed between the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) of Argentina and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) of South Africa, aimed at promoting joint research, technological innovation and capacity building in the livestock sector.
Finally, regarding the agri-food trade agenda, the ongoing work to readjust health certifications in response to the emergence of scrapie (a disease affecting sheep and goats) was highlighted, with the aim of facilitating market access and ensuring health standards in accordance with international requirements.
April 29, 2026 /Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries/ Argentina.
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