www.tradelawchambers.co.za an overview of international trade regulation as it applies to the red...

www.tradelawchambers.co.za

An overview of International trade

regulation as it applies to the Red

Meat Industry

SA Feedlot Association – Cattleman’s Conference

10 March 2011

Lambert Botha Director Trade Law Chambers

2

Talking Points

The regulatory framework Multilateral (WTO) – fundamental principle of non-discrimination Regional Bilateral

Multilateral: Agreement on Agriculture three pillars: export competition, domestic support and market

access Market access:

Tariffs – Bound v. Applied rates Trade remedies – AD, CV and SG Export restrictions – export taxes v. QRs NOT TARIFF BARRIERS (NTB’s) = Sanitary + Phyto-sanitary

Measures

3

Talking Points

Sanitary Measures Level of Risk +Risk assessment; Principle of equivalence; Scientific justification; No arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination;

Implications: Role of NTB to increase Requires a level of competency - in government and industry

(good management practices); Requires a fair understanding of rules of the game; Requires an understanding of the political economy of trade; Requires active participation in international standard setting

bodies (International Office of Epizootics, Codes Alimentarius etc.) – principle of harmonisation;

Requires from industry to be well organised and mobilized.

Thank you

4