South Africa extends UAE red meat export registration deadline
The extension gives livestock producers additional time to complete compliance requirements while protecting South Africa’s access to a key red meat export market.
SOUTH AFRICA – South African farms and feedlots supplying livestock for red meat exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been given additional time to meet mandatory registration requirements.
Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp announced on Wednesday that the deadline for farms and feedlots to complete registration under Veterinary Procedural Notice 59 (VPN-59) has been extended to 31 December 2026.
The extension is intended to prevent disruptions to South Africa’s red meat exports to the UAE while producers and provincial state veterinarians complete the required compliance and registration processes.
Aucamp said the decision would help protect livelihoods across the livestock sector while maintaining South Africa’s agricultural trade relationship with the UAE.
“This extension is critical for our livestock sector and agricultural trade relations with the United Arab Emirates,” Aucamp said.
He said the additional time would allow trade to continue while farmers and state veterinarians finalise registration, while ensuring that the industry continues to meet international standards.
However, the extension does not allow unregistered facilities to freely supply livestock for export.
During the extended period, exports may only proceed if the relevant farm or feedlot has been inspected by the responsible provincial state veterinarian, compliance with applicable requirements has been verified and a compliant registration application has been submitted to the Department of Agriculture’s Directorate: Animal Health for processing.
Aucamp stressed that the extension does not exempt farms or feedlots from the registration requirements.
“After 31 December 2026, farms and feedlots that have not been registered will not be eligible to supply livestock for slaughter for the export of red meat to the UAE,” the department said.
Exports from unregistered facilities will therefore not be supported or endorsed after the deadline.
The department said the extension would facilitate completion of the registration process and help avoid unnecessary interruptions to trade while maintaining required animal-health and food-safety standards.
Matthew Karan, director of Karan Beef, said that in 2024, 66% of South Africa’s meat exports went to five countries: the UAE, Jordan, China, Kuwait and Mozambique.
“Exports aren’t just a bonus when the local market is quiet but a mechanism to grow the entire supply chain,” he explained.
The Department of Agriculture said the extended deadline provides producers and provincial veterinary authorities with additional time to complete outstanding registration requirements before the new deadline takes effect.
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