Itac on 24 November announced the final determination of the sunset review of the anti-dumping duties on frozen bone-in portions of fowls of the species Gallus Domesticus (chicken) originating in or imported from the United States of America (USA).
On 24 June Itac notified the Sacu industry that unless a substantiated request was made by the Sacu industry indicating that the expiry of the anti-dumping duties would likely lead to the continuation or recurrence of dumping and material injury, the anti-dumping duties would expire on 4 April.
On 25 October 2016 Itac received a sunset review application lodged by the Southern African Poultry Association (Sapa), RCL Foods Pty Ltd and AFGRI Poultry (Pty) Ltd which constituted about 71.42% of Sacu industry production of frozen chicken from 01 July 2015 to 30 June 2016.
On 24 March 2017, the investigation was initiated. A response to the importer’s questionnaire was received from Merlog Foods (Pty) Ltd and was found to be deficient. Comments were received from the Association of Meat Importers and Exporters (AMIE). No exporter’s questionnaire responses were received from producers and exporters.
On 16 August 2017, essential facts letters were sent to the interested parties to allow comments on Itac’s considerations prior to the final determination.
On 30 August 2017, comments were received from Sapa, RCL Foods Ltd, USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC), AMIE and Merlog Foods (Pty) Ltd.
After considering all interested parties’ comments, the dumping margin was determined based on facts available which is the information supplied by Sapa and contained in the application.
After considering all interested parties’ comments, Itac made a final determination that the expiry of the anti-dumping duties on frozen bone-in portions of fowls of the species Gallus Domesticus originating in or imported from the USA would likely lead to the recurrence of dumping and continuation or recurrence of material injury to the Sacu industry.
Itac therefore made a final determination to recommend to the trade and industry minister that the anti-dumping duties on the frozen chicken be maintained at 940c/kg for tariff subheadings 0207.14.91, 0207.14.93, 0207.14.95, 0207.14.96, 0207.14.97, 0207.14.98 and 0207.14.99.
The Trade and Industry Minister approved ITAC’s recommendation, which is detailed in ITAC’s Report No. 564.