Sacu import requirements The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in terms of the Animal Diseases Act, on 17 April published for comment proposed revised import requirements for cattle, sheep and goats from Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland (BLNS countries). The BLNS countries, along with South Africa, constitute the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu). The proposed requirements, on which comment is due by 17 May 2015, are available on the Internet or at the Agricultural Production and Health & Food Safety Animal Health Import/ Export Policy Unit of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Daff). Pomegranate measures On 17 April the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced the receipt of a request from the Pomegranate Association of South Africa (Pomasa) for the implementation of statutory measures in the pomegranate industry for four years effective from January 2016. Comment is due by 16 May 2015. Modest trade recovery The World Trade Organisation (WTO) announced on 14 April that it expected that the growth in the volume of world merchandise trade would pick up only slightly over the next two years, rising from 2.8% in 2014 to 3.3% in 2015 and eventually to 4.0% in 2016. According to the WTO, by withdrawing protectionist measures, improving market access, avoiding policies which distort competition, and striving to agree reforms to global trade rules, governments can boost trade. Electricity generation On 17 April the Department of Energy announced that the licence fee (levy) payable by licensed generators of electricity to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), for the period 1-31 April 2015, was set at 0.07625 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Rwanda and Burundi mission The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), in conjunction with the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (Mega), has invited participation in an outward selling and investment mission to Rwanda and Burundi. The closing date for applications is 24 April 2015. German investment mission The dti has invited participation in an investment mission to Germany from 29 June-3 July 2015. The mission has a focus on the rail sector. The closing date for applications is 30 April 2015. Duty Calls Watch List The 2015 WCO Picard Conference will be held from 8-10 September 2015 in Azerbaijan. Comment on the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Regulations is due by 30 April 2015. Applications to attend the Ghana and Nigeria mission are due by 30 April 2015. Applications to attend the outward selling and investment mission to Indonesia are due by 30 April 2015. Comment on the Sunset Review on fresh or chilled garlic originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China is due by 27 April 2015.
