On 25 May the Itac published a notice in the Government Gazette in respect of the proposed increase in the rate of customs duty on frozen half shelled mussels, classifiable under tariff subheadings 0307.39.10 and 0307.39.90, from 5.5c/kg and free of customs duty, respectively, to 25% ad valorem. The application was lodged by La Vie Seafood Products (Pty) Ltd for reasoned, amongst other that Aquaculture is a young industry in South Africa. The importance of this industry as an oceanic foodstuff has been recognised and is starting to draw serious attention as South Africa’s natural resources of fish stocks are in decline. Notably the mussel industry has been directly identified as a priority section under Cluster 1 of government’s Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) for 2010 to 2013 (IPAP2). The application is a direct proactive response by the mussel processing industry to the government’s stated industrial policy imperative for this IPAP2 priority sector. Comment is due by 06 July 2012.
