The department had to backtrack on its earlier statement, saying that at present, the European Union has not authorised South Africa to export any dairy products, including cheese, to any of the European Union member countries. "In order for South Africa to be able to export dairy products to the European Union," said the department, "South Africa will have to comply with the European Union import requirements, including - for example - a residue monitoring programme and the need for traceability."
The department acknowledges that the process will be costly to implement, and that the process of implementation will take time. "We do not foresee that these measures will be fully implemented in time for exporters to make use of the grant tariff preferences mentioned in the media statement," it said, adding that "[t]he Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) would like to apologise to exporters for inconsistencies in listing cheese as one of the permitted commodities to be exported."
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