The scene is set for another confrontation between chicken importers and South Africa’s poultry producers over proposed rebates on import tariffs to ensure supply during the current bird flu outbreak.
Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel has ordered an “expedited” investigation into the possibility of rebating for a temporary period not only general tariffs on imported chicken, but also all anti-dumping duties that apply to chicken imports.
A notice in the Government Gazette on 2 October says the rebates should be considered for “meat and edible offal, fresh, chilled or frozen” chicken. People wishing to make representations have two weeks in which to submit their comments.
Chicken importers, who have been calling for a suspension of all tariffs, will be overjoyed. Poultry producers, on the other hand, will be hard hit by an unrestricted flood of dumped chicken imports. Whatever the outcome of the investigation, continuing dissention is inevitable.
The current bird flu outbreak is still spreading, and it is likely to affect local production well into 2024. Chicken is South Africa’s most affordable meat protein, and accounts for 66% of all meat consumption. It is a staple food in poor communities, and continued supply is essential.
Surely now is the time for discussions between the government, poultry producers and chicken importers to examine the current impact of bird flu, where it might lead and what can be done to ensure a balance between local and imported chicken supplies to keep South Africans fed.
Minister Patel is in effect asking the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC), which is conducting the investigation, to get input separately from poultry producers and chicken importers.
He should be doing that himself, but together, not separately. Instead of arguing from a distance, get everyone round a table to thrash out workable solutions.
