According to the communique issued yesterday of the Atoa o Samoa talks, in Apia October 13-14, the Samoa Government welcomed the decision of the American Samoa Government to allow the export of meat from Samoa to American Samoa.
This is in addition to other approved agricultural products. American Samoa has approved the export of salt beef, sausages, eggs, beef meat, and cured corned beef from Samoa subject to prevailing standards and conditions.
There was no explanation if this was for personal consumption only or for, both, personal and commercial use.
Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa and Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga directed a taskforce to consider and establish proper processes to ensure the completion of agreements or MOUs to facilitate trade between the two Samoa.
“The meeting underscored the importance of the fisheries sector in the food security and economic development of both countries. Ensuring the continued viability of the Starkist Samoa tuna cannery was critical, noting benefits accrued to both countries including remittances and with more than 85% of its workers coming from Samoa.”
On labor mobility arrangements with Starkist, the Samoa government recalled the request by Starkist for additional workers and noted that it had sought the same process as Australia and New Zealand for Samoan workers, including tenure of work/contracts, accommodation arrangements and the protection of migrant workers’ rights.
The taskforce was assigned to consider using “open access” arrangements between Apia and Pago Pago.
