General Notice

General Notice: SAMIC NPC
Increase in Meat Classification and Quality Indication Mark Inspection fees
Background
The South African Meat Industry Company (SAMIC) was founded by the Red Meat Industry Forum in 1997 after the disbandment of the Meat Board, to perform independent and impartial 3 rd party inspections in the Red Meat Industry.
SAMIC was assigned by the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development on 30 January 1998, to enforce the Red Meat Classification Regulations (No. R. 55 of 30 January 2015 in terms of the Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990). This involves performing Meat Classification inspections/audits at abattoirs. The main purpose of the Red Meat Classification System is to ensure an even playing field. SAMIC also performs audits/inspections for Quality Indication Marks registered under the Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990.
Proposed increase in fees
SAMIC currently conducts ten inspections per participating abattoir per annum, at the following tariffs
–
High Throughput Abattoirs R5 757.00/month (excl. VAT)

Proposed increase from 1 January 2025 to: R6 102.00/month (excl.VAT)

Low Throughput Abattoirs R3 664.00/month (excl. VAT)

Proposed increase from 1 January 2025 to: R3 884.00/month (excl.VAT)

(Abattoirs that slaughter more than 20 units per day are categorized in the high throughput category,and abattoirs that slaughter less than 20 units a day are categorized in the low throughput category) In the case of Quality Indications Marks (e.g. “Natural”, “Free Range”, “Wagyu”, etc.), for the audits/inspections in terms of the Meat Classification Regulations the following fees are applicable and proposed–
 Farms – 10% of farms involved per annum
R1 497.00/audit (excl. VAT) Proposed increase from 1/1/2025 to: R1 587.00/audit (excl. VAT)
 Feedlots – 2 x per annum
R3 672.00/audit (excl. VAT) Proposed increase from 1/1/2025 to: R3 892.00/audit (excl. VAT)
 Abattoirs – 2 x per annum R2 908.00/audit (excl. VAT) Proposed increase from 1/1/2025 to: R3 082.00/audit (excl. VAT)
 Deboning Plants – 2 x per annum
R2 908.00/audit (excl. VAT) Proposed increase from 1/1/2025 to: R3 082.00/audit (excl.VAT)
 Trade/Franchise/Wholesale – 2x per annum
R712.00/audit (excl. VAT) Proposed increase from 1/1/2025 to: R755.00/audit (excl. VAT)
 Woolworths Farm Audits – 10% of total farms involved per annum (January 2025 – June 2025)
R2 464.00/audit (excl. VAT)
 Woolworths Farm Audits – 10% of total farms involved per annum (July 2025 – December 2025)
 R1 587.00/audit (excl. VAT)

Consultation process
SAMIC’s proposed budget (including the proposed increase) was presented to the Red Meat Industry
Forum* during the SAMIC AGM on 14 August 2024, where it was approved for the next financial year
(1 January 2025 until 31 December 2025). SAMIC, as a non-profit company (NPC), compiles itsbu dget based on the actual historical costs of visits and audits.
*The Red Meat Industry Forum consists of the following representative organisations –
 Red Meat Producers Organization for cattle
 Red Meat Producers Organization for small stock
 South African Pork Producers Organization
 National Emergent Red Meat Producers Organisation
 South African Meat Processors Association
 South African National Consumer Union
 National Federation of Meat Traders
 Skin, Hide and Leather Council
 Federation of Meat Traders Union
 South African Federation of Livestock Auctioneers
 Association for Meat Importers and Exporters
 Red Meat Abattoir Association
 South African Feedlot Association
Interested parties wishing to obtain further particulars or wishing to comment can do so by contacting:
SAMIC NPC
Mr Tom Westphal
E-mail: [email protected]
Cell: 082 890 3423
Comments, in writing, must be provided to Mr T. Westphal within 30 days of the publication hereof.