Apply for a fish processing establishment permit

About
What you should do
How long does it take
How much does it cost
Forms to complete
Who to contact

 

 

About applying for a fish processing establishment permit

To operate a fish processing establishment (FPE), you must have an FPE permit. You can only apply for an FPE permit when you have a fishing right. Invitation to apply for a fishing right is published in the Government Gazette. 

An FPE is a vehicle, vessel, premises, or a place where a substance or article is produced from fish. The substance may be produced by any method, such as cutting up, dismembering, separation of parts, cleaning, sorting, lining, and preserving fish. The establishment also includes a place where fish is canned, packed, dried, gutted, salted, iced, chilled, frozen or processed for sale in or outside South Africa.

The evaluation process will begin after the cut-off date for applications. Upon finalisaton of the process, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment will announce the results. If granted the FPE right, you must apply for the permit to operate an FPE and satisfy the requirements to get a permit.

The Minister will approve an FPE exemption under exceptional circumstances. If an FPE exemption is granted you must apply for a permit to operate an FPE.

Note: You must renew the permit annually. Failure to adhere to permit conditions may result in the suspension, cancellation or revocation of the permit.

What you should do

Rights application procedure

  1. When an invitation is published in the Government Gazette, you must go to the distribution centre announced in the Gazette.
  2. Read the application form carefully and make sure that you can satisfy the requirements and conditions.
  3. Pay a non-refundable prescribed fee announced in the Gazette.

Exemption application procedure

  1. Apply for an exemption by writing a detailed motivation.
  2. Post the motivation to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Private Bag X2, Roggebaai, 8012.

Permit application procedure

  1. Complete, sign, and submit the permit application form with the following documents:
    • certified copy of identity document 
    • authorisation letter from the right holder nominating you to apply on behalf of the client/right holder
    • certified copy of company registration documents
    • valid original South African Revenue Service tax clearance certificate
    • proof of ownership of or lease agreement for the FPE (where applicable, e.g. land-based)
    • a certified copy of a supply agreement(s) with the supplier of products to be processed
    • where applicable, certification by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications.
  2. If the fish is intended for human consumption, you must obtain a certificate of acceptability for food premises from the nearest local or provincial authority and attach a certified copy of the original to the application.

How long does it take

The FPE exemption and permit application may take one to three months subject to proper lodging of the letter of motivation and permit application and supporting documents.

How much does it cost

Tariffs for each service is reflected on the application form.

Forms to complete

Get the form at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. Otherwise, go to the distribution point announced by the department when the invitation to apply for a right is published in the Government Gazette.

Who to contact
 

Fisheries Customer Service Centre:
Tel 086 000 3474 / 021 402 3443
E-mail: cscenquries@environment.gov.za

Physical address: Ground Floor, Foretrust Building, Martin Hammerschlag Way, Foreshore, Cape Town 8000
Postal address: Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Private Bag X2, Roggebaai, Cape Town, 8012

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