February 19, 2008

South African producers protest proposal to ease duties on US chicken

South Africa's poultry industry has enlisted the help of a senior African National Congress (ANC) parliament member to protest against the Department of Trade and Industry's proposal to reduce or to rid of anti-dumping duties on chicken.

Producers said that the easing or removal of anti-dumping duties could lead to the industry losing billions from the loss of the local market.

The International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC), which is under the Department of Trade and Industry, made the proposal in December. The department had called for the submission of comments by the end of last month, although the deadline was extended to last Thursday (February 14, 2008).

Ben Turok, an ANC MP, hope to use the parliament to buy time and oppose the proposal, suggesting that the national assembly trade and industry committee debate the issue.

Committee chairman and ANC MP Ben Martins had agreed, and the event was put onto the committee's schedule for this week.

The US currently bans imports of chicken wings and feet from South Africa, but supports chicken breast imports.

ITAC said a five-year period of competition grace, articulated through protective duties, had expired. The department asserted that its proposals to ease or remove anti-dumping duties are in compliance to global trade practise.