Latest news with #BorderManagementAuthority
Eyewitness News
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
BMA clarifies circumstances around Russian navy vessel docked in Cape Town Harbour
CAPE TOWN - The Border Management Authority (BMA) has moved to clarify circumstances around a Russian navy vessel docked in the Cape Town Harbour. It said the seamen have been denied permission to disembark the vessel because they don't have passports. This week, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party claimed a diplomatic incident was brewing over the government's alleged refusal for those on board to leave the ship. But the BMA said no prior application was made for the crew to leave the vessel without passports. It's not the first time the Russian navy vessel, the Smolny, docks in Cape Town. It arrived in the city on Monday, with an estimated 400 crew on board, half of whom are naval cadets undergoing training. The BMA said prior to its arrival, meetings were held about the conditions of their stay. These include that the sailors remain on board the vessel as they only have seafarers' identification in their possession. The BMA said the vessel received diplomatic clearance from the International Relations Department for replenishment, rest and recuperation. The authority said no application to waive document requirements was made to either the Department of Home Affairs, Department of Defence or Department of International Relations. The sailors were denied permission to disembark to go on a city excursion this week, because they neither have passports nor a waiver.
The Citizen
a day ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
BMA denies 'misleading claims it refused Russian war ship access to SA shores
The Smolny, carrying 300 sailors, arrived in Cape Town on 4 August 2025. The Border Management Authority (BMA) has denied claims that it refused access for sailors on board a Russian Baltic fleet training ship to disembark the vessel. The Smolny, carrying 300 sailors, arrived in Cape Town on 4 August 2025, reportedly to restock, replenish and resupply the ship. The MK party called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene after the party claimed that the sailors were refused access and were denied the right to disembark. 'Misleading claims' BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi said they have taken note of the 'misleading claims' made regarding the arrival of the Russian vessel at the Port of Cape Town. 'The vessel in question arrived at Cape Town harbour on Monday, 4 August 2025. Prior to its arrival, the Border Management Authority and other government stakeholders held a meeting where procedures and processes were agreed upon. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa speaks to Putin on Ukraine crisis, bilateral issues Agreement In the meeting, it was agreed that: The sailors would remain on board, as they do not have passports in their possession, but only seafarers' identification. The vessel has received diplomatic clearance from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco). The reason for docking is replenishment, rest and recuperation. No application Mogotsi said no application to waive any document requirements was ever received by the Department of Home Affairs ahead of the visit from the Department of Defence, Dirco, or any other relevant stakeholder. 'The sailors subsequently wanted to undertake an excursion into Cape Town arranged by a private company. 'However, in terms of the law, the arrangements that had been agreed to and given the absence of any application for a waiver being submitted, the BMA could not allow them to disembark without passports,' Mogotsi said. Voyage According to the Baltic Fleet's press service, the Smolny called in at a number of ports, including Cuba's Havana, Venezuela's La Guaira, South Africa's Cape Town, Namibia's Walvis Bay, Angola's Luanda, Cameroon's Douala, and Benin's Cotonou. NOW READ: US ambassador Reuben Brigety refuses to be drawn into Russian ship Lady R saga
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Border Management Authority responds to call to ditch original vet certificates for poultry imports
The Border Management Authority (BMA) has defended its continued requirement for original paper-based veterinary health certificates for poultry imports. This comes after calls from Merlog Foods to adopt secure online verification systems to prevent delays at South African ports. Merlog Foods, an importer of chicken and chilled meats, had urged the BMA to modernise its verification processes by fully embracing the use of electronic veterinary certificates issued by Brazil. These digital documents are already available through an internationally recognised online portal and are accessible to both the BMA and the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). 'After months of disruption to poultry imports, we urge the Border Management Authority to align port inspection procedures with modern, technologically based practices,' said Georg Southey, manager at Merlog Foods. 'Formalising the use of electronic verification systems would streamline trade while maintaining food safety and compliance.' But in response, Dr ME Machedi, Commandant for Agriculture Specialised Functions at the BMA, said the agency is legally required to enforce the import conditions set out in permits issued by the Department of Agriculture. 'According to section 6 of the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act No. 35 of 1984), no person shall import into or convey in transit through the Republic any animal, parasite or contaminated or infectious thing except under the authority of a permit and in compliance with any condition imposed in such permit,' said Machedi. He added that clause 9 of the Veterinary Import Permit explicitly requires the presentation of original paper certificates at the port of entry. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'This is to ensure authenticity and prevention of fraud. This guarantees that all goods meet South African biosecurity and import requirements. It also enables effective risk assessment and legal compliance at the point of inspection,' he said. Machedi emphasised that while the BMA enforces the current regulations, it is also working to modernise its inspection systems. 'BMA is using the eCert system for some of the commodities, whilst onboarding others. There is a plan to fully automate inspection systems,' he said. 'With the current system, the risks are mitigated, and we are still able to conduct inspections in a safe and effective environment that facilitates timely entry and exit of agricultural products in and out of South Africa.' Merlog Foods warned that the existing delays adding up to 7 to 10 days per shipment, are preventing the timely release of key imports such as mechanically deboned meat (MDM), a critical raw material used in processed protein products like polony and viennas. These products are widely consumed by low-income households and are used in school feeding schemes.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
SA cannot afford any more delays to Brazil poultry imports by vet inspectors at the border
Currently, even when poultry shipments are pre-cleared using the online system, the poultry is held at a South African port until the original paper-based certificates arrive, which adds at least 7 to 10 days of delay before the chicken can be released for sale. Image: Pixabay By Georg Southey Merlog Foods is calling on the Border Management Authority (BMA) to implement the use of an online electronic verification system to verify health certificates and prevent further delays to poultry imports. These delays, caused by a reliance on paper-based certificates, are undermining food security and contributing to rising protein costs in South Africa. Veterinary health certificates for poultry exports from Brazil are issued both as hard copies and as secure electronic records accessible through an internationally recognised online portal. Both the Border Management Authority and the Directorate of Animal Health under the Department of Agriculture already have access to this online system. Currently, even when poultry shipments are pre-cleared using the online system, the poultry is held at a South African port until the original paper-based certificates arrive, which adds at least 7 to 10 days of delay before the chicken can be released for sale. Merlog Foods urges the Border Management Authority to rely on the online veterinary portal as used by Brazil instead of waiting for paper certificates to be sent from Brazil. After months of disruption to poultry imports, we urge the Border Management Authority to align port inspection procedures with modern, technologically based practices. Formalising the use of electronic verification systems would streamline trade while maintaining food safety and compliance. Following a ban on Brazilian poultry imports due to a single case of bird flu (HPAI) in one state, South Africa has recently reopened trade with Brazil. Early shipments are expected from the week of 18 August. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading We expect volumes to build up over the next two to three months, which will help stabilise the local protein market and ensure processors have access to key inputs such as mechanically deboned meat (MDM). MDM is a critical raw material in the manufacture of affordable processed protein products such as polony and viennas. These products are widely consumed by lower-income households and used in local school feeding schemes. Delays in releasing MDM into the market directly impact food affordability, with an estimated 100 million meals lost per week of delay. The continued requirement for original paper-based veterinary health certificates, despite their delayed issuance and delivery, creates a bottleneck in the supply chain. In contrast, Brazil's online veterinary certificate verification system is secure, widely used by global trade partners, and was previously accepted by South African authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Merlog Foods also urged the Department of Agriculture to prioritise finalising a regionalisation protocol with Brazil. This would allow imports from unaffected provinces to continue in the event of any future bird flu outbreak, rather than triggering a nationwide ban. It is important that a regionalisation protocol with Brazil is concluded without delay. If another case of bird flu arises in future and no agreement is in place, the entire country could once again be subject to a blanket ban. This would force us to experience unnecessary disruptions again. Merlog Foods reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Department of Agriculture and its veterinary inspection teams at the Border Management Authority in implementing regulatory improvements that ensure safe, efficient and uninterrupted food supply. Georg Southey is the manager at Merlog Foods. Image: Supplied * Georg Southey is the manager at Merlog Foods. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media. BUSINESS REPORT
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Merlog Foods calls for urgent electronic verification to streamline Brazil poultry imports
South Africa's Merlog Foods demands faster electronic verification for poultry imports from Brazil. Image: File As South Africa prepares to resume poultry imports from Brazil, food importer Merlog Foods has raised concerns over potential delays at the border due to the continued reliance on paper-based veterinary certificates and has called on authorities to shift to a fully electronic verification system. The company is urging the Border Management Authority (BMA) to begin using Brazil's online veterinary portal to verify health certificates, warning that waiting for paper originals to arrive is causing week-long hold-ups and directly impacting food affordability. 'After months of disruption to poultry imports, we urge the Border Management Authority to align port inspection procedures with modern, technologically based practices,' said Merlog Foods manager Georg Southey in a statement on Wednesday. 'Formalising the use of electronic verification systems would streamline trade while maintaining food safety and compliance.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ South Africa recently lifted a ban on Brazilian poultry imports imposed earlier this year following a single case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) detected in one state in Brazil. Trade is set to resume from the week of August 18, with volumes expected to gradually increase over the next few months. While the Department of Agriculture and the BMA already have access to Brazil's secure online portal for verifying veterinary health certificates, the current protocol still requires that paper originals be physically shipped and received before the poultry can be released for sale. This process, according to Merlog Foods, delays distribution by seven to 10 days — even in cases where the shipment has been digitally pre-cleared. 'The continued requirement for original paper-based veterinary health certificates, despite their delayed issuance and delivery, creates a bottleneck in the supply chain,' said Southey. He noted that South African authorities had accepted the same digital system during the Covid-19 pandemic and urged them to formalise its use once again to reduce red tape and support food security. He added that delays are especially concerning given the country's ongoing battle with high food prices. Merlog Foods said that one of the main poultry imports from Brazil, mechanically deboned meat (MDM), is a vital raw material in the production of processed protein products such as polony and viennas, which are widely consumed by lower-income households and used in government school feeding schemes. 'MDM is a critical input for the manufacture of affordable processed protein products. Delays in releasing MDM into the market directly impact food affordability, with an estimated 100 million meals lost per week of delay,' Southey said. In addition to electronic verification, Merlog Foods has called on the Department of Agriculture to prioritise finalising a regionalisation protocol with Brazil. Such an agreement would allow South Africa to continue importing from unaffected provinces in the event of a future bird flu outbreak, instead of triggering a blanket nationwide ban. 'It is important that a regionalisation protocol with Brazil is concluded without delay,' said Southey. 'If another case of bird flu arises in the future and no agreement is in place, the entire country could once again face a blanket ban. This would force us to experience unnecessary disruptions again.' Responding to the concerns, Deputy Director-General for Agricultural Production, Biosecurity and Natural Resources Management, Dipepeneneng Serage, said the government's primary responsibility is to uphold biosecurity and food safety standards. 'These regulations are not contingent on the commercial interests of Merlog Foods, which is focused on the sale of poultry products and profitability,' Serage said. 'Therefore, we will not compromise biosecurity procedures, as both government and corporate interests align on the importance of food safety and biosecurity.' The company said it remained committed to working with the Department of Agriculture and the BMA to implement regulatory improvements that protect food safety while ensuring supply chain efficiency. 'South Africa cannot afford any more delays,' Southey said.
