Speaker, the ANC welcomes President Jacob Zuma's initiative to request the United Arab Emirates to review the ban on South African horses and meat produce in his meeting with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Hahyan, on Monday, 14 November 2011.
The request stems from the fact that the United Arab Emirates suspended direct imports of horses from South Africa following the outbreak of African horse sickness in 2004. Thus, the President requested the United Arab Emirates government to send a delegation to South Africa to conduct an inspection visit in order to investigate the country's control systems. President Zuma raised the concern that the export restrictions had not been resolved.
The Middle East is currently South Africa's biggest trading partner for horse exports, the majority being endurance horses. On average, South Africa exports about 100 horses per year to the Middle East. President Zuma said the two governments should intensify discussions to resolve this matter. Thank you, Speaker. [Applause.]