The International Trade
Administration Commission
(Itac) proposal to make PE
the sole scrap metal port of
export appears to have raised
the ire of the entire freight
industry.
And, although contacted
only days after the Itac
proposal was gazetted, our
commentators were already
voicing strong opposition.
For example:
• “Oh yes, we’re 100%
against it,” said Sue
Moodley, chairman of the
Durban Harbour Carriers’
Association;
• “Yes, we are going to
oppose it,” said Gavin
Kelly, technical and
operations manager of the
Road Freight Association.
• “We’re definitely going to
submit our comments,”
said Peter Besnard, CEO
of SA Association of Ship
Operators and Agents.
• “Now that I’ve examined it
more closely it doesn’t look
too good,” said Andrew
Layman, consultant to the
SA Chamber of Commerce
and Industry.
• “It’s a load of nonsense,”
said Dave Watts,
maritime adviser to the
SA Association of Freight
Forwarders.
And even the metal
industry itself finds the latest
Itac proposal unacceptable.
And it is adamant that, tied
in with other Itac rulings, it
is going to ruin whole sectors
of the business.
Commenting on these
issues, Debra de Klerk of
Speciality Metals told FTW
that Itac was currently
administering regulations
for export control that
allowed local privately owned
businesses to purchase
materials from prospective
exporters of recycled metals
at 30% below international
prices, before the prospective
exporters were allowed to
export.
“It has now proposed
further restrictions which
will make the exporting of
recyclable materials from
SA virtually impossible –
and force further closure
of recycling businesses and
retrenchments in the metal
recycling sector.
“The proposal includes
re-routing all the exports to
the port of PE, via routes and
modes of transport which
are still to be determined by
Itac.”
And this proposal, De
Klerk added, is “vague and
unclear”.
She also objected to the
fact that there had been no
consultation with members
of the metals industry before
the proposal was put on the
table.
“We ask that the minister
of economic development,
Ebrahim Patel, engages in
an open meeting with the
industry representatives,”
said De Klerk. “Also that
he calls for public hearings
on this to be held in all the
provinces to fully consult
and inform all the affected
persons, companies and
parties.
“A petition is circulating
currently – and will be
delivered to the minister in
due course.”
De Klerk highlighted
the combination of Itac
proposals that were
likely to cause serious, if
not fatal, damage to her
industry.
“It is proposing that all
companies applying for
export permits be BEE
accredited; that all exports
only be done through
the port of PE; and that
monthly scale calibration
certificates be submitted.
“These are only a few of
the proposals being made
for implementation which
will have far-reaching
effects on thousands – and
will ultimately result in
further job
Industry mobilises against Itac scrap metal proposal
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