The Border Management Authority (BMA) was formally established as an autonomous Schedule 3A Public Entity on 1 April, 2023. The Authority is responsible for the execution of frontline border law enforcement functions related to port health; access control; biosecurity; and food safety, to name a few.
The below graphic demonstrates the BMA Inspection process required for importers to be issued a Release Permit for containers carrying animal products, such as meat and poultry:
This year, meat and poultry importers have encountered significant logistical and procedural delays at our ports, with the Port of Durban being particularly affected. The primary issues contributing to these delays are the inconsistencies in the product release process and the protracted lead times for processing the necessary paperwork to release containers. These problems were intensified by administrative inefficiencies, leading to additional costs for importers.
Compounding the issue, the industry has highlighted a critical shortage of inspectors necessary for timely inspections at cold storage facilities. This lack of available inspectors has resulted in delays, where products are held up simply awaiting removal permits or an inspection to break the seal.
The prolonged wait times have significant ramifications, causing financial strain on importers and undermining the efficiency of the supply chain which of course has a direct impact on consumers.
Simply put, imported meat products delayed at the ports are costing importers more and, in the end, impacting the end consumer.
Poultry imports are a vital component of the meat value chain in South Africa, providing access to high-quality and affordable meat products that supplement not only shortfalls in local production, but also deficits caused by diseases such as the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak of late 2023.
The meat processing sector relies heavily on the meat imports brought into the country. South Africa does not produce enough mechanically deboned meat (MDM) that is used in the manufacturing of processed meat products such as viennas, polony and sausages. These products form the foundation of high-value affordable protein that lower-income South African consumers depend upon.
In response to the port delays, The Association of Meat Importers and Exporters (AMIE) has stated that the organisation is working closely with the relevant government authorities (DTIC, DALRRD & BMA) towards finding a long-term solution for the prevailing problems at the Port of Durban.
It is in the mutual interest of both South African consumers and the economy at large to address and resolve the administrative delays expediently. Alas, the inevitable effect of the current delays ultimately results in higher prices for consumers, especially the most vulnerable lower-income earners.
