Egyptian Agriculture Minister Amen Abaza has promised SA's Agriculture Minister Tina Joemat- Pettersson that he will investigate why Egypt has continued to ban imports of bone-in beef and livestock products from SA despite SA's compliance with Egypt's demands.

Joemat-Pettersson said this was one of several nontariff barriers between the two countries that could be resolved by political will.

SA is seeking to open trade within Africa and elsewhere, taking the direction urged by various economists who have warned governments that taking protectionist measures in an attempt to pull their domestic economies out of recession would make the global situation even worse.

Gerhard Schutte, CEO of the Red Meat Producers' Organisation, said he was surprised Egypt had persisted with its ban because SA held "foot and mouth disease-free" status under the World Organisation for Animal Health. Although SA was a net importer of beef , it could export high-quality beef anywhere in the world, he said.

Joemat-Pettersson said there would be "exciting opportunities" for South African farmers in a draft memorandum of understanding on trade to be signed with Egypt in the near future. Trade volumes were low at present she said.