An Extraordinary Meeting of Executive Council (ExCo) was held on 06 March 2026.
The agenda for the meeting was as follows:
CLOSED AGENDA
- Declaration of Interest
- Business Support Scheme – Airport Closure February 2026 (ExCo Memo 07/2026)
- Prohibiting the Importation of live Cloven-Hoofed Animals, Germplasm, Meat and Meat Products and Dairy Products from Cloven-Hoofed Animals Originating from South Africa to Reduce the Risk of Foot and Mouth Disease reaching St Helena (ExCo Memo 08/2026)
NB Items marked (*) are commercially sensitive and depending on the subject matter, might not be referred to in the top lines.
The following items were considered:
1. Declaration of Interest
The Chief Minister declared her interest in item 3. as her husband owns a farming business, and, together with his business partner, he is an importer for a wholesale and retail business.
Minister Thrower was nominated to advise the Governor on item 3.
2. Business Support Scheme – Airport Closure February 2026 (ExCo Memo 07/2026)
Executive Council considered and approved the Business Support Scheme for businesses directly affected by the exceptional circumstances caused by the Airport Major Incident of February 2026, which recognises the immediate and significant impacts it has had on businesses reliant on visitor access and associated economic activity.
The scheme will provide support for businesses directly affected by the airport closure in the form of an interest-free loan and/or SHG pre-purchase of services, subject to eligibility and assessment.
3. Prohibiting the Importation of live Cloven-Hoofed Animals, Germplasm, Meat and Meat Products and Dairy Products from Cloven-Hoofed Animals Originating from South Africa to Reduce the Risk of Foot and Mouth Disease reaching St Helena (ExCo Memo 08/2026)
Executive Council approved the prohibition on the importation and landing of live animals and their germplasm, meat and meat products and non-UHT dairy products originating in South Africa from cloven-hoofed animals and will be implemented in line with the prohibition recommended below.
The Customs (Export and Import Control) Regulations, 1988 be amended through revision of its First Schedule to make provision for the prohibited imports.
This prohibition will come into force with effect from Saturday 7 March 2026 and applies to—
(a) imports by sea, arrivals after voyage V261702 of MV Karoline (scheduled for 10 March 2026);
(b) imports by air, arrivals after 10 March 2026.
Guidance will be provided to all officials involved in managing the prohibition at all ports of entry.