import restrictions on fresh pork meat and beef in october 2009 brazil reported that since 2006 brazil had been exchanging information with south african authorities regarding restrictions on pork and beef products from brazil. three rounds of questions had been asked and three sanitary negotiating missions had been sent to south africa. south africa had not provided any final results of its risk analysis on beef and pork. brazil requested more conclusive information on the risk analysis processes that had been carried out since brazil fulfilled the requirements established by the oie. south africa confirmed that a number of interactions had taken place with regards to the import of pork and beef into south africa most recently in july 2009. however there were still some issues that required clarification with regards to the import of pork. the import of matured de-boned beef should be approved pending agreement on certificates. in october 2011 brazil expressed concerns that since 2005 south africa had suspended imports of beef and pork meat from brazil due to a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the country. numerous attempts to reopen the south african market to brazilian pork had been blocked by repeated unnecessary requests for additional information. brazil had also sent at least four missions to south africa and had invited south africa to hold bilateral meetings on the margins of sps committee meetings. since 2006 brazil had provided information on the countrys sanitary status and responded to all questions from south africa. in february 2010 intense negotiations had finally resulted in the authorization of exports of brazilian bovine meat to south africa but not brazilian pork meat. although bovine and swine herds could be affected by fmd the 2005 outbreak had affected only the bovine herd and south africas delay in accepting brazilian pork meat could not be scientifically justified. brazil requested that south africa make a final scientifically sound decision and promptly allow the importation of brazilian pork meat. south africa affirmed that it was committed to resolve the problem soon as demonstrated by the technical cooperation between south african and brazilian officials. south africa had experienced several devastating outbreaks of diseases in the pig population including classical swine fever and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome prss which had adversely affected south african pig production and cost close to a million dollars to eradicate. fmd was not the only disease of concern when importing pork meat. although south africa generally applied the concept of safe commodities as determined by the oie the oie guidelines did not address all of the diseases of concern. south africa continued to seek advice from the oie on how to proceed regarding certain imports considering the health status of its pig population. in particular the oie did not have guidelines for the importation of meat that differentiated between pathogenic and apathogenic diseases. south africa ultimately aimed to develo a health certificate for the importation of pork which would ensure protection of its swine population. in march 2012 brazil recalled that south africa banned brazilian swine and bovine meat since 2005 and after intense negotiations and four technical missions had authorized imports of bovine meat in february 2010. although brazil had answered all questions in relation to the control of swine disease the repeated questions from south africa had become a major and unnecessary obstacle to trade. the ban was unjustified as the fmd status of brazil was higher than that of south africa and brazil requested south africa to promptly adapt its measures to the requirements foreseen in the sps agreement so that exports of the affected products could resume soon. south africa stated that the concerns raised by brazil were important to both countries and that it was committed to solve the issue. since 2005 south africa had experienced out