To prevent the introduction of alien invasive species, foreign pests and diseases, the South African Department of Agriculture‚ Forestry and Fisheries has asked international travellers visiting SA over the Easter holidays‚ or returning to SA afterwards‚ to comply with the country’s import requirements for agricultural and related regulated products.
The Department said SA‚ like other countries‚ had a crucial mandate and sovereign right to protect its territory‚ biodiversity and economy against harm‚ and regulated importation of plants and plant products‚ as well as any other potentially harmful materials from other countries into its territory.
"This is in accordance with the country’s relevant legislation‚ which is aimed at preventing the introduction‚ establishment and spread of pests and diseases from other parts of the world. Once introduced into the country‚ the said elements are expensive and difficult to control‚ thus prevention is pertinent in this regard.
The department said that upon arrival in SA‚ all the imported consignments of regulated products must be presented to the department’s inspectors at the port of entry for compliance inspections as per import conditions.
