The multimillion-rand deal to export 61,000 Eastern Cape sheep from East London to Kuwait is close to completion after the Kuwaiti transport vessel was given a clean bill of health by the Eastern Cape government.
On Monday, the department of rural development & agrarian reform’s veterinary services were dispatched to examine the sheep to ensure the animals met the required health standards for export.
If found to be adequate an export permit can be issued.
While the Dispatch initially understood that a final export permit was issued on Sunday, department spokesperson Ayongezwa Lungisa explained it was the Kuwaiti vessel Al Shuwaikh that had met the department’s requirements.
He said the rural development & agrarian reform MEC (Nomakhosazana Meth) had pointed out that the province had large numbers of sheep and cattle, and it made economic sense that if other nations wanted the Eastern Cape’s livestock such deals should be considered. But he emphasised that as a province the Eastern Cape wanted to ensure the welfare of animals.
“We won’t export without checking on the condition of the animals. We have gone through everything, including writing to the department of agriculture, forestry & fisheries (Daff) nationally. We can confirm the vessel met all the requirements. It met all the conditions we wanted, and we are satisfied as a province.”
Lungisa said the department’s veterinary services had been dispatched to ascertain whether the sheep were carrying diseases or ticks and had had the requisite vaccinations in accord with export standards and practices.
NSPCA spokesperson Meg Wilson said their representatives were in meetings with Daff on Monday afternoon and four NSPCA members would be meeting with the Eastern Cape provincial department on Tuesday about the matter.
Smaragda Louw of animal rights group Ban Animal Trading felt that while the deal may already have been sealed, “we cannot stop fighting”.
“Whatever can be done must be done. I do wonder though how they will be able to go back on a multimillion-rand deal,” she said.
The deal for the first shipment of sheep is estimated to be worth R120m, which emerging farmers say will benefit the local agriculture industry.
The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) said the deal was a result of the corporation meeting with a number of potential investors in Kuwait in 2017.
ECDC spokesperson Nobulali Myataza said: “These engagements were meant to boost investment in the province.
“This formed the basis for ECDC’s engagement with Al Mawashi Livestock Transport and Trading Company and other investors. As a result of these promotion efforts, ECDC was able to secure an export order from Al Mawashi for both chilled and live animals.”
Myataza confirmed the sheep had been supplied by EC farmers, but directed queries on how many farmers were involved to Al Mawashi. – Additional reporting by Madeleine Chaput
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