Stakeholders attending the two days National Authority Conference hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) in Limpopo have identified and agreed on processes that need to be simplified to promote compliance and make it easier for new entrants to participate in the liquor industry.
The conference which was attended by delegates representing liquor authorities, policy makers, municipalities, research institutions, enforcement agencies and other national government departments also touched on a number of policy issues affecting the industry.
The Chief Director for National Liquor Authority at the dti Ms Thezi Mabuza said the conference discussed a variety of issues that will be compiled into a report and the recommendation thereof will be incorporated in the reviewing of the liquor policy.
"Stakeholders looked at different policies and licensing requirements with the aim of getting all regulators to outline their roles and mandate and identified areas where we can cooperate or synergise to promote compliance and enforcement," said Mabuza.
She added that the Liquor Regulatory Structure as it stands now has been struggling to bring in key departmental stakeholders that have a stake in the industry and that the attendees at the conference have now seen a need to meet quarterly to discuss imminent issues.
Sustainable Livelihood Foundation Director Dr Andrew Charman said among the liquor authorities, there is a need for policy consensus on the objectives of regulation with respect to small-scale and unregulated traders.
"There’s a need for policy clarity that will include within the framework, residential traders with the potential to meet licencing condition. If small traders are to be incorporated within the regulatory framework the licencing application process should be transparent, time-bound and straight forwards," said Charman.
He also said that government should create a more flexible enterprise model recognising that formalisation will enable the business to grow.
Department of Trade and Industry announced that is in the process of conducting the first impact assessment study on Liquor Act, 59 OF 2003. It is trusted that the impact assessment of the study will also contribute to alleviating the existing gap in the industry. The study will be followed by the Liquor Policy Review which will be influenced by the outcome of the impact assessment.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe, Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
