On 12 September 2014 the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) invited comments by 19 September 2014 on the establishment of statutory measures relating to levies, registration and records and returns on imported chicken products.
According to the notice the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries received a request from the Association of Meat Importers and Exporters (AMIE) for the establishment of statutory measures relating to levies, registration, the keeping of records and rendering of returns. The applicant for the proposed statutory measures is AMIE, an association founded in 1996, which was established due to a need by meat and poultry importers and exporters for a mouthpiece to speak on their behalf and to look after the interests of its members.
AMIE proposed a statutory levy of 2c/kg (excluding Value-added Tax (VAT)) on imported chicken products, classifiable under tariff subheading 0207.12.10, 0207.12.20, 0207.12.90, 0207.14.10, 0207.14.20 and 0207.14.90.
On 19 August 2014, NAMC had discussions with AMIE and the South African Poultry Association (SAPA). Eventually it was decided to adhere to the original request of AMIE, namely to include the function of "Trade Promotions" to be financed with the proposed statutory levy income. Trade promotions will facilitate the import of certain chicken products and where possible the export of other chicken products. The estimated income from the proposed statutory levies is between R5.1 million (for 2014/15) and R5.9 million (for 2017/18) per year. The proposed statutory levies will finance the following functions, namely: trade promotions; quality control and consumer assurance; liaison, including consumer education; transformation in the industry; and research and development; and administration.