The Trade and Industry Portfolio Committee has released statements on it’s review of the relabelling notice.

Contrary to the article “MP touts defeat of SA settlement product labeling”, that appeared on Tuesday, 2 October 2012 in the Jerusalem Post does not reflect the position of the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry. 

The referred MP here being Mr Kenneth Meshoe how has been a staunch supporter of illegal Israeli settlements and the Zionist Federation throughout the relabelling saga. The reasons for his support though are questionable considering his complete lack of knowledge of the subject.

When asked  by Israeli Newspaper Haaretz of what he thought of Israel’s policies towards Palestinians he was quoted as saying:

“I am unaware of Israel’s policies. I have not made time to look in to that and I don’t think it will help me, being busy as I am, to study Israel’s policies.”

On Meshoe the committee had this to say:

“Mr K Meshoe incorrectly stated that the Committee rejected legislation as no legislation was submitted for the Committee’s consideration. A General Notice, Notice 379 of 2012, published on 10 May 2012 reflected the Minister of Trade and Industry’s, Dr R Davies, intention to issue a notice in terms of Section 26 of the Consumer Protection Act (Act No. 68 of 2008) to require traders in South Africa, not to incorrectly label products that originate from the Occupied Palestinian Territory as products of Israel.”

The Committee made it clear in their statement that in terms of existing legislation, it is important that the origin of products coming into South Africa be correctly labelled.

It seems now that a new notice will be released within the next week, with a further 30 days for comment as seen below:

“The Committee also encouraged further consultation among the Department of Trade and Industry and stakeholders. In addition, the Committee requested that stakeholders submit further comments for consideration by the Department of Trade and Industry once the notice in terms of Section 26 of the Consumer Protection Act (Act No, 68 of 2008) is published. The public would then have 30 days to make input on the matter for consideration.”

See links below for both statements:

Statement on the 21st of September

Statement on the 4th of October