Patel proposes temporary import rebate amid bird flu outbreak
Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel has asked the International Trade Administration Commission (Itac) to consider a rebate on chicken imports amid an outbreak of avian influenza.
The outbreak led to a fear of chicken products shortage after farmers were forced to cull 2.6-million chickens.
In the government gazette notice, Patel proposes a temporary rebate provision on meat and edible offal, fresh, chilled or frozen chicken.
The notice said the rebate be made subject to a permit issued by Itac in consultation with the director-general of the department of agriculture, land reform and rural development.
"The impact of the depletion of locally available poultry will have severe food security implications on the availability and prices of poultry, which is a basic, staple protein in South Africa.
"The minister therefore directed Itac to consider the creation of a temporary rebate provision on meat and edible offal, fresh, chilled or frozen of fowls of the species Gallus Domesticus, classifiable under HS0207."
Interested parties will now be granted an opportunity to submit their comments.
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