The beef exports from the three southern African nations, Botswana, Swaziland and Lesotho will resume to European Union (EU) markets with the interim trade pact signed by two parties, even after the previous trade pact expiry on 31st December 2007. This pact is seen as a forerunner to the Economic Trade Partnership (E.P.A) to be signed between South African Development Community (S.A.D.C) and EU seemingly before December 2009. E.P.A is formed on the guidelines of World Trade Organization.
As per the new agreement, all the three countries can resume their duty free beef export without any ceiling on export limit. South Africa and Namibia are also most likely to be a part of similar agreement in the coming days. The Cotonou Partnership Agreement between EU and African Caribbean and Pacific countries is being set to expire the Southern District Beef Farmers Association can now plan to speed up developmental programs for modern cattle farming. Let’s hope that there will be similar concrete agreements with EU in near future, also in other areas of business.