This follows from the International Trade Commission of South Africa receiving notification from Rob Davies, the Minister of Trade and Industry via letter. The document stated that current poultry industry problems are caused by imports in general and not specifically those from Brazil.

According to the director of the Commercial Affairs Department of the Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA), Benedito Rosa, if the surcharge was maintained, could represent a dangerous precedent for the industry.

"There is no other country which has made such a challenge [as a dumping] Brazilian exports of poultry meat. The action taken by South Africans was hasty and did not fulfill the procedures provided by the agreements of the World Trade Organization [WTO], " said Mr Rosa.

The measures taken against Brazilian chicken amounted to surcharges of 62.39 per cent and 46.59 per cent for whole chicken and boneless cuts in addition to standard import tariffs which are 5 per cent and 27 per cent for boneless cuts.

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