South Africa: New statutory levies for citrus considered
The citrus growing association of South Africa have lodged the request, which is now being looked at by the National Agricultural Marketing Forum. If successful the new levels will be implemented again with effect from 1 January 2013.
The present measures lapse on 31 December this year. At the moment the rules apply to fruit, which will be exported. This includes keeping record of notes and statements, registration of directly involved shipments and payment of statutory levies.
If the new statutory measures are agreed exporters next year will pay 3,133 c/kg (47 cents/carton), 3,333 c/kg (50 cents/carton) in 2014, 3,533 c/kg (53 cents/carton) in 2016.
Measures are necessary
The association says, that the above mentioned measures are necessary, because this forces exporters to keep records of market and production information, which can be distributed in the entire country. Compulsory registration will ensure that the statutory measures will be efficiently controlled with a view of updating notes and questions together with the payment of the levy.
It is expected that the association will collect approximately 44 million Rand in levies during the bookyear 2013. This will be used for production research and development, plant improvement, information and statistics, market entrance and the development of new export opportunities and the transformation of the citrus sector.
Interested parties are being invited to supply written comments on or before 20 July this year. The comments are to be lodged with Mrs. Mathilda van der Walt, economist of the National Agricultural Marketing Council. Her e-mail address is mathilda@namc.co.za. She may also be contacted by phone 0027 123 411 115 or by fax 0027 123 411 911.