SADC-EU trade deal kicks in
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Beef is the biggest export to the EU after diamonds
As of Monday, the agreement will apply to trade between the EU and the five countries including Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland.
Mozambique is in the process of ratifying the agreement and will join in as soon as the ratification procedure is completed. Botswana’s main export, diamonds are not catered for in the deal but beef and other minerals such as copper and nickel will enjoy the duty free, quota free benefits from the deal.
It is a clear signal that the government’s purse is empty and that our own behaviour has left veterinary officials fighting with one hand tied behind their backs. We have been here before. During COVID-19, many of us thought we knew better. We ignored simple rules, we carried on as if the danger was someone else’s problem, and the virus took lives and left our economy on its knees. We are still broke from that experience. Yet now, with FMD...