South African livestock producers have won a temporary reprieve, with Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp extending the mandatory Veterinary Procedural Notice 59 registration deadline for farms and feedlots supplying red meat to the United Arab Emirates to 31 December 2026. The government says the move is designed to avoid disruptions to exports while producers and provincial state veterinarians finish compliance checks and paperwork.
Aucamp framed the extension as a protective measure for the sector and trade ties with the UAE. "This extension is critical for our livestock sector and agricultural trade relations with the United Arab Emirates," he said, adding that the extra time will allow trade to continue while farmers and state veterinarians finalise registration and the industry maintains international standards.
The department stressed the extension is conditional, not a blanket waiver. During the extended period, shipments may only proceed if the originating farm or feedlot has been inspected by the relevant 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.
Officials warned there will be a firm cutoff. "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 not be supported or endorsed beyond that date.
The stated aim of the extension is to facilitate completion of the registration process while preserving animal health and food safety standards and protecting livelihoods across the livestock value chain. The immediate task for producers is clear: secure provincial veterinary inspection, verify compliance, and lodge a compliant application with the Directorate: Animal Health well before the deadline, or risk losing access to an international market.
