Media statement by the Department of Trade and Industry on tariff increases with respect to certain poultry products
30 Sep 2013
On 5 August 2013, the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) submitted its recommendation for an increase of import duties on five poultry products to the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, for decision. On 29 August 2013, the Minister forwarded his decision to the Minister of Finance for implementation by the South African Revenue Services (SARS). On 30 September 2013, SARS implemented the decision by way of Notice 715 in Government Gazette No 36876.
The Minister noted that the application for the increase on tariffs for five poultry products was submitted to ITAC by the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) on 27 March 2013. He noted the industry claims that it was in a distressed financial situation due largely to the rapid increases in imports of low priced poultry.
He further noted that in terms of the ITAC processes, a notice was published in the Government Gazette inviting all interested parties to comment on the application by SAPA. Written and oral submissions had been received from a wide variety of interested stakeholders in SACU, including from the primary and secondary industries, companies, importers, retailers, as well as interested government departments. The concerns of stakeholders opposed to the tariff increases were given direct attention, and additional time was provided for comment.
The Minister observed that in the course of its investigation, ITAC had considered conditions in the world and SACU markets and the tariff position of those products in SACU. ITAC also considered questions of employment, investment, the financial performance of producers, production costs and trade data, and the concerns of importers, amongst other things.