Hon Chairperson, the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry unanimously agreed that we would pass this report which, to begin with, was signed on 11 October 1999. However, there were several issues that still had to be ironed out, which was done on 1 May 2004.
It has become known as the "Cheese Agreement", and many of us wondered why. The reality is that it deals with a number of agricultural products. One of the key issues is on correcting the errors in the listing of certain cheese products. So, it clarifies issues like growth terms with regard to canned fruits. It also provides very important management of the tariff quota on cheese.
As we know, in our country the issue of tariff management has become more and more important. In this particular agreement, the Trade, Development and Co-operation Agreement, TDCA, with South Africa, the European Community and its member states remains a significant trading partner with South Africa even though we continue to diversify.
As it received such unanimous response in the committee, I wish to put the report before members, which, in fact, did go into the Announcements, Tablings and Committee Reports on 31 January 2013. I would like to ask the House to consider this request for approval. I thank you. [Applause.]
There was no debate.
Agreement on the amendment of annex IV and VI of the Trade Development and Co-operation Agreement between the Republic of South Africa, on the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, on the other part, regarding certain agricultural products referred to as the "Cheese Agreement" approved.