Department of Trade and Industry says it has noted the industry’s concern about the increase in imports of chicken
A national committee consisting of government and
industry representatives has been established to address the challenges
the poultry industry faces.
Factories have been closed and jobs cut as poultry producers battle to fend off competition from cheap imports.
The Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries are participating in the committee to develop a "comprehensive strategy to address these challenges in a holistic and sustainable manner", trade and industry spokesman Sidwell Medupe said on Friday.
He said poultry producers could apply to the International Trade Administration Commission (Itac) through the normal processes for further relief if this was required.
Itac is far advanced with an investigation into the need
for a safeguard duty on imported frozen bone-in chicken portions from
the EU.
No import duties are imposed on these imports because of the preferential trade agreement between SA and the EU.
Last year antidumping duties ranging from 3.86% to 73.33% were imposed on frozen bone-in chicken pieces from Germany, the Netherlands and the UK.
A number of European countries, including Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands and Poland, as well as Israel are experiencing outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian flu and SA has banned poultry imports from them.
No import duties are imposed on these imports because of the preferential trade agreement between SA and the EU.
Last year antidumping duties ranging from 3.86% to 73.33% were imposed on frozen bone-in chicken pieces from Germany, the Netherlands and the UK.
A number of European countries, including Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands and Poland, as well as Israel are experiencing outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian flu and SA has banned poultry imports from them.
"The Department of Trade and Industry has noted the
concerns raised by the poultry industry in SA, especially in relation to
the increase in imports of poultry products. The government has been
working with the domestic industry to address the challenges in the
industry," Medupe said in a statement.
"Over the last three years, upon application by the industry through Itac, a number of actions were taken by the government to address the challenges in the industry.
"The actions vary from increases in tariffs covering a number of poultry products in line with SA’s international commitments, to imposing trade remedies where evidence indicates dumping of poultry in the South African market or where there is a surge in imports."
In 2013, the import duty on a number of poultry products was increased significantly and currently stands at 82% for whole birds, 31% for carcasses, 12% for boneless cuts, 30% for offal and 37% for bone-in portions for imports from the US and Brazil.
"Over the last three years, upon application by the industry through Itac, a number of actions were taken by the government to address the challenges in the industry.
"The actions vary from increases in tariffs covering a number of poultry products in line with SA’s international commitments, to imposing trade remedies where evidence indicates dumping of poultry in the South African market or where there is a surge in imports."
In 2013, the import duty on a number of poultry products was increased significantly and currently stands at 82% for whole birds, 31% for carcasses, 12% for boneless cuts, 30% for offal and 37% for bone-in portions for imports from the US and Brazil.
The agreement reached between the government and the US
as a condition for the country’s continued enjoyment of benefits under
the US’s African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) means that no
anti-dumping duties are paid on about 65,000 tonnes of bone-in chicken
portions annually,
Medupe said the departments of trade and industry and
agriculture, forestry and fisheries were working on opening new markets
for South African poultry exports.
"Recently new markets in the Middle East have been opened and present a further opportunity for export to the domestic poultry industry. The Department of Trade and Industry is in the process of considering the designation of domestic poultry products for purposes of public procurement."
"Recently new markets in the Middle East have been opened and present a further opportunity for export to the domestic poultry industry. The Department of Trade and Industry is in the process of considering the designation of domestic poultry products for purposes of public procurement."
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