Share

20 000 jobs at risk in poultry sector

Johannesburg - About 20 000 jobs could be lost if the government does not clamp down on the import of low-quality chicken, the SA Poultry Association said on Friday.

"As many as 20 000 people in the poultry industry are threatened with imminent retrenchment as the local producers face serious operational challenges emanating from a flood of low-quality, imported chicken," CEO Kevin Lovell said in a statement.

Government needed to act decisively on imports from Brazil and the European Union specifically.

The impact imports had on the local industry was devastating.

"Local poultry producers are losing tens of millions of rand every week.

"In the last 18 months, five small-to-medium sized poultry farms have closed or are in business rescue proceedings, with more than 2 000 jobs lost.

"Larger poultry producers shed a further 3 000 more."

Lovell said South Africa had one of the most unprotected markets in the world and the EU and Brazil were taking advantage of this by dumping massive quantities of cheap chicken.

Protein

The poultry association's senior executive Sol Motsepe said other African countries had stricter import rules.

"Nigeria, Kenya and Swaziland don't allow imports at all, Botswana and Mozambique issue very few import permits, while Namibia restricts chicken imports through a quota system," Motsepe said.

"Should South Africa be any different in protecting its own industry and the 120 000 people that depend on it for their jobs?"

The poultry association in March applied for an increase in import duties, which the Association of Meat Importers and Exporters (Amie) said could be anything up to 82% from 24%.
The International Trade Administration Commission of SA (Itac) would review the poultry association's application and make a decision.

Amie said on Thursday that it opposed an increase because higher import duties would make prices higher for consumers, whose only source of protein, in many cases, was chicken.

It was also concerned that this could cause job losses among the 15 000 people who cut, repackaged and distributed the imported chicken.

Amie would file an application at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria related to import duty costs, it said.





We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.93
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.90
-0.0%
Rand - Euro
20.43
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.34
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.1%
Platinum
907.85
+1.2%
Palladium
1,012.25
+1.1%
Gold
2,218.87
+1.1%
Silver
24.85
+0.8%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.8%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.8%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders