Chapter 11 - Export

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11.7.3 South Africa

11.7.3.1 General information

An import permit must be obtained from the authorities of South Africa before the product leaves Canada. In the case of imports of fresh meat product, the import permit is issued by the Directorate of Meat Hygiene. In the case of other meat products (e.g. cooked products), the permit will be issued by the Directorate of Animal Health. Processed products are also subject to legislation administered by the Health Ministry.

All specific import requirements appear on the import permit. The Health and Meat Inspection Certificate is generally an integral part of the permit (overleaf). The importer/exporter is responsible to verify that the certification reflects the conditions prescribed by the import permit.

It is permitted to export to South Africa poultry carcasses/cuts containing kidneys from chickens/ducks weighing more than 2.7 kg (carcass weight). Specific requirements are included in section 11.7.3.3.

11.7.3.2 Import prohibitions or restrictions

11.7.3.2.1 Import prohibitions

Beef products - BSE: The importation of beef products is prohibited.

Poultry meat - Avian Influenza: The importation of poultry meat derived from birds slaughtered between September 2, 2007 and April 21, 2008 is prohibited. Poultry meat derived from birds slaughtered between February 5, 2009 and July 25, 2009 originating from a 30 km radius of the outbreak in British Colombia is also prohibited.

11.7.3.2.2 Import restrictions

Establishments exporting fresh meat products (including mechanically separated meat) must be approved by the South African Directorate of Meat Hygiene.

1. Specific requirements

   Water potability: records must show absence of fecal coliform (E. coli) and a maximum total plate count of 100 microorganisms per ml.

   Medical records: all personnel handling edible products must have passed an annual medical examination declaring him/her fit to handle meat. An annual medical examination may be waived if there is an acceptable ongoing program in respect of monitoring the employees' health status. An example of what would be considered as an acceptable ongoing program is illustrated below.

   1. Provision of an in-plant or readily accessible medical service utilizing a physician or a nurse or both.
   2. If there is any reason to believe that an employee's one or two day absence was due to a sickness that may have an impact regarding his/her suitability to handle meat products, the employee reports to the above medical service following the absence and only returns to work after having been declared fit to do so.
   3. If there is any reason to believe that an employee's more prolonged absence was due to a sickness that may have an impact regarding his/her suitability to handle meat products, the employee only returns to work after he/she has obtained a physician's certificate explaining that there is no impediment to his/her return to work in a food handling capacity. Such a certification may also be required in a case of shorter absences where medical history indicates a need.
2. To be added to the list of establishments eligible to export to South Africa, the operator of an establishment has to make a request to the appropriate Area Office. Upon receipt of a recommendation for approval from an Area Office, the National Export Program Specialist will make a formal request for approval to the South African authorities who will advise of their final decision. All interested parties will be notified accordingly.

*Refer to Annex 1 for the list of approved establishments*

11.7.3.3 Specific or additional inspection procedures

Pathogen reduction program in poultry meat (Annex D):

• Establishments must comply with the provisions of Annex U of section 11.7.3 - United States.

Salmonella enteritidis and S. typhimurium in poultry meat (Annex D):

• The certification concerning the absence of S. enteritidis and S. typhimurium should be based on 13 samples representative of the shipment. After 16 consecutive shipments negative to S. enteritidis and S. typhimurium from the same establishment, the number of samples required will decrease to five (5). The samples should be sent to a federal laboratory or a recognized laboratory accompanied by the usual form. Results of analysis should be kept on file with the corresponding export certificates.

Poultry carcasses/cuts containing kidneys from chickens/ducks more than 2.7 kg in weight:

• Operators of establishments must have control programs in place that will ensure that products non-eligible for other markets/domestic use can be distinguished from those that are destined for export to South Africa through receiving, processing, shipping and distribution. The control programs must be reviewed and found satisfactory by the inspector in charge. Inspectors are then responsible for monitoring the operator's controls to ensure themselves that they are adequately followed.

11.7.3.4 Additional certification

1. When shipping meat products, the following certification must be made in the English language on original official letterhead. Each document must be individually signed, stamped and stamp dated. Photocopies or carbon copies are not acceptable.
2. In the case of fresh/frozen pork, the certificate shown in Annex A should be completed.
3. In the case of cooked meat/meat products, the certification will appear on the import permit issued by South African authorities. An example of a permit is shown in Annex B.
4. In the case of casings, the certificate shown in Annex C should be completed. An example of a permit is shown in Annex C-1.
5. In the case of poultry meat and poultry meat products including mechanically separated poultry meat, the certificate shown in Annex D should be completed.
6. An example of an import permit for frozen edible poultry offal is shown in Annex E.
7. In the case of fresh/frozen horse meat, the certificate shown in Annex F should be completed.

11.7.3.5 Special packaging or marking requirements

Poultry carcasses/cuts containing kidneys from chickens/ducks weighing more than 2.7 kg (carcass weight): shipping cartons shall be labelled as being for export.

The export stamp must appear on each shipping container.

11.7.3.6 Other requirements

The transport container must be sealed with an official seal.

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See a CFIA inspector to obtain certificates.

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Next page: Annex 1