The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (Itac) has announced the initiation of an investigation for remedial action in the form of a safeguard against the increased imports of frozen potato chips (slap chips, French fries, and frites), classifiable under tariff subheading 2004.10.90. The application was lodged by McCain (SA)(Pty)Ltd, a major producer of frozen potato chips in the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) and supported by Nature’s Choice Products (Pty) Ltd and Lamberts Bay Foods. The applicant indicated that the expansion of capacity in the European Union (EU), the financial crisis which resulted in the oversupply of frozen chips in the world market, and an aggressive export strategy by the EU producers of frozen chips augmented by the absence of sufficient duty protection as a result of the Trade Development Cooperation Agreement (TDCA) had culminated in circumstances that occurred after the negotiation of the relevant tariff concessions “could not have been foreseen at the time the concessions were negotiated’ in accordance with Article XIX of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) importers and overseas exporters have until 21 December 2012 to complete an Importer and Exporter Questionnaire. If you are an interested party and want to request an oral hearing with Itac you will need to do so by no later than 21 January 2013.