Marketing of Agricultural Products Act, 1996 (Act No. 47 of 1996)NoticesEstablishment of Levy and Determination of Guideline Prices: Levy on Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Red Meat, Red Meat Products, Processed Pork, Hides and Skins2. Purpose and aim of the levy and the relation thereof to the objectives of the Act |
The red meat industry has been identified by the DAFF as a productive sector and job driver with potential for accelerated economic growth and job creation through the Agricultural Policy Action Plan and Operation Phakisa processes. As such, the red meat industry wishes to extend the existing levy period by two years to deliver on the functions previously identified, whilst investigating how these functions could be better refined, aligned or extended to support the crucial future development and sustainability of the sector. These functions are—
| (a) | consumer assurance; |
| (b) | consumer communication and education; |
| (c) | transformation and development; |
| (d) | research and development; |
| (e) | industry liaison; |
| (f) | production development; |
| (g) | compliance to legislation; and |
| (h) | administration. |
The levy is not detrimental to any of the objectives of the Act, and in particular will not be detrimental to the number of employment opportunities or fair labour practice in the red meat industry.
The levy will be administered by the Levy Administrator who will act in terms of the mandate granted to it by the Red Meat Industry Forum, the representative structure of the red meat industry.
This levy is necessary to finance the above-mentioned functions and the levy will be utilized in accordance with the levy application submitted to the Minister. The Auditor-General will solely be responsible to audit the statutory levies collected and expended.
The actual beneficiaries of the levy will be determined by the Red Meat Industry Forum in accordance with their approved business plans and budgets for the benefit of the entire industry.