Food Security as a Consideration in Anti-Dumping Investigations Conducted by the International Trade Administration Commission: Lessons for South Africa from the European Commission
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2522-3062/20652Keywords:
food security, anti-dumping, International Trade Administration Commission, public interest, frozen poultry, poultry importAbstract
Following the decision by the South African Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition to suspend anti-dumping duties in the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) Chicken Meat Dumping Investigation case, and the subsequent outbreak of disease amongst poultry, this article analyses the need to consider food security as part of the ‘public interest’ during anti-dumping investigations relating to essential food products. ITAC and the Minister of Trade are mandated, in terms of the relevant legal framework, to consider public interest as an additional fourth requirement on an ad hoc basis during anti-dumping investigations that may impact food security in South Africa and other Southern African Customs Union countries. Accessibility and availability elements of food security are affected by factors such as the type of product and whether it is an essential food, possible supply constraints impacting local food production, the prevalence or risk of disease outbreak, and the likelihood that price increases following the imposition of anti-dumping duties will be passed on to the end consumer. ITAC should consider these factors during anti-dumping investigations in a manner similar to the European Union’s consideration of the Union interest, ultimately assisting the Minister of Trade in making a decision regarding the imposition of anti-dumping duties in matters related to essential food products. If such an approach is adopted, it would be in line with the government’s obligation and responsibility to protect, promote and fulfil the right to access to sufficient food.
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Case Law: South Africa
Consumer Goods and Services Ombud NPC v Voltex (Pty) Ltd [2021] JDR 0660 (GP).
International Trade Administration Commission v Scaw South Africa (Pty) Ltd [2012] 4 SA 618 (CC).
Minister of Health v Alliance of Natural Health Products (South Africa) [2022] JOL 52860 (SCA).
Progress Office Machines CC v SARS [2007] 4 SA 1358 (SCA).
South Africa Sugar Association v Minister of Trade and Industry [2017] 4 All SA 555 (GP).
Case Law: European Union
Case C-612/16 C & J Clark International Ltd v Revenue and amp Customs Commissioners [2019].
Case C-236/17 Canadian Solar Emea GmbH v Council of the European Union [2019].
Case C-461/18 Changmao Biochemical Engineering Co. Ltd v Distillerie Bonollo SpA [2020].
Case T-1/07 Apache Footwear and Apache II Footwear v Council [2009] ECR II-232.
Case T-399/19 Polskie Górnictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo S.A. v European Commission [2022].
Case T-432/12 Volžskij trubnyi zavod OAO (VTZ OAO) v Council of the European Union [2015].
Case T-459/07 Hangzhou Duralamp Electronics Co. Ltd v Council of the European Union [2013].
Case T-781/16 Puma v Commission [2021].
Case Law: ITAC Investigations
Investigation into the Alleged Dumping of Disodium Carbonate (Soda Ash) Originating in or Imported from the United States of America (USA): Final Determination, Report No 476 (2014).
Investigation into the Alleged Dumping of Frozen Bone-In Portions of Fowls of the Species Gallus Domesticus Originating in or Imported from Brazil, Denmark, Ireland, Poland and Spain: Final Determination, Report No 695 (2022).
Investigation into the Alleged Dumping of Frozen Meat of Fowls of the Species Gallus Domesticus, Whole Bird and Boneless Cuts, Originating in or Imported from Brazil: Preliminary Determination, Report No 389 (2012).
Case Law: EU Investigations
Commission Decision 2007/430 of 19 June 2007 terminating the anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of synthetic staple fibres of polyesters (PSF) originating in Malaysia and Taiwan [2007] OJ L160/30.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/367 of 1 March 2017 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules and key components (i.e. cells) originating in or consigned from the People’s Republic of China following an expiry review and terminating the partial interim review investigation [2017] OJ L56/131.
Council Regulation (EC) 930/2003 of 26 May 2003 terminating the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy proceedings concerning imports of farmed Atlantic salmon originating in Norway and the anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of farmed Atlantic salmon originating in Chile and the Faeroe Islands [2003] OJ L133/1.
Case Law: Other
Social and Economic Rights Action Center (SERAC) and Center for Economic and Social Rights (CESR) / Nigeria 155/96 dated 27 October 2001.
Legislation: South Africa
Agricultural Product Standards Act 119 of 1990.
Anti-Dumping Regulations 2003.
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996.
Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008.
Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964.
Customs Tariff Act 26 of 1914.
International Trade Administration Act 71 of 2002.
Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965.
Southern African Customs Union Agreement (2002).
Legislation: SA Government Publications
GG 24287 of 22 January 2003. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/00006454-200301000-00001
GN R946 in GG 13876 of 27 March 1992. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/zygo.1992.27.issue-1
GN 800 in GG 26537 of 2 July 2004.
GN 1179 in GG 47156 of 1 August 2022.
GN 1209 in GG 47201 of 5 August 2022.
GN 1606 in GG 29382 of 10 November 2006.
GN 1925 in GG 49065 of 2 August 2023.
GN 3197 in GG 25684 of 14 November 2003.
GN 5621 in GG 51709 of 6 December 2024.
Legislation: EU
Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2016 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Union [2016] OJ L176/21.
Legislation: WTO
Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organisation (1994).
Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (1994).
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (1994).
Negotiating Group on Rules—Proposals on issues relating to the Anti-dumping Agreement TN/RL/GEN/137 (2006).
Negotiating Group on Rules—Public Interest TN/RL/GEN/85 (2005).
Negotiating Group on Rules—Public Interest TN/RL/W/174 (2005).
Negotiating Group on Rules—Public Interest TN/RL/W/222 (2008).
Trade Policy Review Report by the Secretariat SACU WT/TPR/S/447 (2023).
Legislation: Other
African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (1981).
African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (1990).
Anti-dumping Regulation Decree 1393/2008 (2008).
Anti-dumping Regulation Decree 8058/2013 (2013).
Anti-dumping Regulations of the People’s Republic of China (2001).
Botswana Trade Commission Act (2013).
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (1979).
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2008).
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966).
Special Import Measures Act (1985).
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948).
United Nations General Comment No 12: The Right to Adequate Food (Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) E/C.12/1999/5 (1999).
United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United Nations ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy’ Framework (2011).
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Accepted 2026-07-01
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