Zuma asks UAE to review livestock ban

The UAE suspended direct imports of horses from South Africa following the outbreak of African Horse Sickness in 2004 and since then, all exports had to be routed via the EU or Mauritius, which increased costs by about 150% and made South African horses less competitive.

In his meeting with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Hahayn, on Monday, Zuma raised concern that the export restrictions had not been resolved.

According to a statement from Zuma's office, the President requested the UAE government to send a delegation to South Africa to conduct an inspection visit to investigate the country's control systems.

President Zuma said the two governments should intensify discussions to resolve the matter.

In June 2011, a protocol was submitted to the UAE government to propose the direct export of horses following a 40-day quarantine period at the Kenilworth Quarantine Station in Cape Town.

The Middle East is currently South Africa's biggest trading partner for horse exports, the majority being endurance horses. On average, South Africa exports 100 horses a year to the Middle East.

Trade between SA and the UAE is healthy, standing at R12 billion but there is room for improvement. The two countries also maintain a good defence relationship characterised by the exchange of high-level visits and joint training programmes.

For example, there is a large number of South African health professionals who have been attracted to the UAE.

In this light, President Zuma told the UAE President that he would like to see a possible conclusion of an agreement that would manage the use of South African health professionals by the UAE, and also the possible training of UAE medical students in South Africa.

Zuma is in the Gulf States on State visits to Abu Dhabi (UAE) and Muscat in Oman. The visits are intended to enhance relations between South Africa and the UAE in various areas, especially in the political and economic arena, defence, health cooperation as well as on legal matters.

Today, Zuma moves to Oman where he is expected to sign a "Supplementary Protocol amending the Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income".