Agoa is a US law that enhances market access to the US for qualifying sub-Saharan African countries including South Africa. The US is expected to suspend South Africa from Agoa after it missed a December 31 deadline to resolve a health-related dispute on meat imports. The suspension will hit the agricultural sector first.

Draper said South Africa could still avert the suspension by removing unnecessary health barriers to imports of US chicken and beef.

Draper, who is an expert in trade and investment policy, said while disagreement over US poultry imports was the proximate issue, behind it was a range of US government and business concerns about SA’s respect for private property rights and associated protection of US business interests in SA.

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