SA veggies ban lifted

FARMERS: MOVE BY NEW BOTSWANA ADMINISTRATION WARMLY WELCOMED

- Masoka Dube

Farmers have welcomed the lifting of South African vegetables exports ban to Botswana, but say it will take time for the countries to benefit from the deal.

This is the view of TLU SA general manager Bennie Van Zyl in his reaction to international relations and cooperation department's announcement that the two countries had reached a trade agreement.

Van Zyl said exporters and buyers needed to establish trust and working relationships to create a conducive trade environment.

"For a farmer or any enterprise, it is a process to export things as proper infrastructure is also needed and to establish trust that also takes time," said Van Zyl.

Last week, the department said: Minister Ronald Lamola received correspondence from his counterpart in Botswana, Dr Phenyo Butale, informing him of the new administration's decision to gradually lift the ban on vegetable imports from South Africa.