The following important submissions were made to Portfolio Committees of Parliament this past week:

The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) invited comment, by means of a Government Gazette notice of 05 April 2013, on its draft guidelines and conditions pertaining to a safeguard application in terms of Article 16 of the Agreement on Trade, Development and Co-operation (TDCA) between the European Community and its member states, and the Republic of South Africa. Comments due by 20 April 2013. Please peruse linked Government Gazette Notice 344 of 2013 for detailed document. The purpose of the document is to provide a reference and procedural guide to the application for safeguard action in terms of Article 16 of the TDCA.     

The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is currently conducting public hearings and awaiting comment on its proposed new  pricing strategy.

This new pricing strategy holds major implications for many agribusinesses and agribusinesses are encouraged to consult the linked presentation by the Transnet National Ports Authority.

The proposed tariff structure for the import and export of dry bulk items would see wheat port tariffs drop 30% from the current R26,70/ton to the proposed R18,70/ton;  

Agricultural products R32,90 to R18,70 (43% decline);  

Fertilizer from R20,50 to R18,70 (9% down);  

Wood chips from R11,90 to R18,70/ton (58% higher); and  

Maize from R17.10/ton to R18,70 (10% higher).

Increases in total break bulk tariffs:  

The proposed tariffs would change from R57,90/ton to R112,50/ton for citrus fruit (94% increase);  

From R65,70/ton to R112,50 (71% increase) for rice;  

From R59,20 to R112,50 (90% increase) for fertilizer and  

From R108.90 to R112,50/ton (3% increase) for timber.  

Tariffs on liquid bulk items also face significant changes, with crude and petroleum products tariff increasing from R19,70/t to R36/t (82% increase);  

Animal and vegetable oils decreasing from R56,60/t to R36/t (36% decline); and  

sunflower seed oil declining from R56,50/t to R36/t (36% decline).  

The tariff adjustments would gradually take place from 2013/14 with the new tariff structure fully in place by 2019.