Abu dhabi: South African farms and feedlots supplying livestock for red meat exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been given more time to comply with mandatory registration requirements. Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp announced on Wednesday that the deadline for farms and feedlots to complete the registration process under Veterinary Procedural Notice 59 (VPN-59) has been extended to 31 December 2026.
According to South African Government News Agency, the extension is intended to prevent disruptions to South Africa's red meat exports to the UAE while producers and provincial state veterinarians complete the necessary compliance and registration processes. Aucamp emphasized that the decision aims to protect livelihoods in the livestock sector and maintain South Africa's agricultural trade relationship with the UAE. The extension provides additional time for trade to continue while ensuring that farmers and state veterinarians finalize registration and that the industry meets international standards.
The extended deadline does not mean that unregistered facilities can freely supply livestock for export. During this period, exports may only proceed if the relevant farm or feedlot has been inspected by the responsible provincial state veterinarian, compliance with applicable requirements has been verified, and a compliant registration application has been submitted to the Department of Agriculture's Directorate: Animal Health for processing. Aucamp highlighted that the extension does not exempt farms or feedlots from the registration requirements.
'After 31 December 2026, farms and feedlots that have not been registered will not be eligible to supply livestock for slaughter for the export of red meat to the UAE,' the department stated. Exports originating from unregistered facilities will not be supported or endorsed after the deadline. The department added that the extension aims to facilitate the completion of the registration process and avoid unnecessary interruptions to trade while maintaining required animal-health and food-safety standards.
