The poultry sector master plan is working, but much more slowly than was expected when it was signed by industry, government, importers and unions in November 2019.
That was only a few months before the coronavirus pandemic hit, impacting global trade and markets and shutting down much of the South African economy. In the midst of a national crisis, master plan implementation was inevitably delayed.
Now restrictions are easing, and economic recovery has begun. That should mean a higher priority for key aspects of the master plan, including expanding local consumption of chicken and the development of new export markets and products.
FairPlay intends to keep an eye on these developments, and to bring you regular updates on how the master plan is progressing. We are a strong supporter of master plans and the benefits they can bring to industries, workers and the country.
The poultry master plan is one of four currently being implemented by government and the relevant industries. The others are for the sugar, automotive and the clothing and textile industries. The government intends developing several other master plans.
While the textile industry was also hammered by a flood of imports, the two that have the most in common are the poultry sector master plan, signed in November 2019, and the sugar industry plan that followed a year later. They share a common theme – stabilising distressed industries by ending the dumping that has cost production and jobs, encouraging local consumption and promoting industry growth and rising employment.
FairPlay was founded to oppose dumping and predatory trade. The movement’s support for the sugar industry master plan was set out in a recent Engineering News feature on the sugar industry.
