SA Canegrowers says sugar tax will kill jobs and put livelihoods at risk
Farmer's Weekly|November 24, 2023
SA Canegrowers says the tax increase was decided on without any consultation with the sugar industry and other affected stakeholders
Jyothi Laldas
SA Canegrowers says sugar tax will kill jobs and put livelihoods at risk

The South African Cane Growers’ Association (SA Canegrowers) is calling on Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana to reverse the decision to institute an increase in the Health Promotion Levy (HPL/sugar tax) in the Draft Rates and Monetary Amounts and Amendment of Revenue Laws Bill.

This followed Godongwana’s Medium-Term Budget-Policy Statement earlier this month. The main objective of the sugar tax, as stipulated by South Africa’s HPL policy, is to decrease incidences of diabetes and obesity. Government blamed the obesity crisis on the high consumption of “processed sugars”, and then began engaging with industry professionals on a proposed sugar tax, which later changed into the Health Promotion Levy on its eventual legislation in 2018.

The sugar tax equates to 2,1c/g of sugar above a 4g threshold per 100ml. This amounts to a levy of approximately 11% on the price of all sugary beverages with the aim of reducing consumers’ consumption of sugary beverages in South Africa.

It also required beverage producers to reformulate the product recipes and replace cane sugar with alternative or artificial sweeteners.

Since its implementation, as at June 2022, the sugar tax had contributed more than R10 billion in revenue directly to the National Treasury.

Esta historia es de la edición November 24, 2023 de Farmer's Weekly.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición November 24, 2023 de Farmer's Weekly.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE FARMER'S WEEKLYVer todo
South African Bakkie of the Year winners
Farmer's Weekly

South African Bakkie of the Year winners

The winners of this popular competition were announced at Nampo Cape, held in Bredasdorp, Western Cape, in mid-September.

time-read
5 minutos  |
October 18, 2024
Think of your farm as a trial plot in part
Farmer's Weekly

Think of your farm as a trial plot in part

Always keep an eye out for different situations on your farm and analyse them so that you can fine-tune your methods and raise your yields. Learn from experience and don't repeat your mistakes

time-read
2 minutos  |
October 18, 2024
Biological crop protection: it's tricky but possible
Farmer's Weekly

Biological crop protection: it's tricky but possible

Integrated pest management is a complex process that takes each farm's uniqueness into consideration. With growing support from all spheres, biological solutions are gaining traction.

time-read
8 minutos  |
October 18, 2024
The critical role of proper nutrition in pig and poultry production
Farmer's Weekly

The critical role of proper nutrition in pig and poultry production

Proper nutrition is vital for the health and productivity of pigs and poultry. Dr Sipokazi Nyeleka and JD Mostert spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about exploring essential nutrients, common feeding mistakes, and best practices for feed safety to optimise livestock growth and reproductive health.

time-read
6 minutos  |
October 18, 2024
How and when to dip, deworm and vaccinate your cattle
Farmer's Weekly

How and when to dip, deworm and vaccinate your cattle

Livestock health management has evolved over the decades to include disease prevention and growing farm revenue. The most effective health management strategies are those that include dipping, deworming, and vaccinating animals. Prof Cheryl McCrindle takes a closer look at these practices.

time-read
6 minutos  |
October 18, 2024
Aquaculture on the rise
Farmer's Weekly

Aquaculture on the rise

This report focuses on the production and trade of aquaculture and farmed fish over the next decade, and projects where the industry is likely to end up in 2032.

time-read
9 minutos  |
October 18, 2024
Food trends increase scope for valueadding opportunities
Farmer's Weekly

Food trends increase scope for valueadding opportunities

From veganism to upcycling, new food trends present avenues for value-adding and exploring new markets. After a recent visit to Switzerland, Lindi Botha reports on two companies making headway in that country.

time-read
7 minutos  |
October 18, 2024
Injecting livestock: best practices and vital considerations
Farmer's Weekly

Injecting livestock: best practices and vital considerations

Improper injection techniques can lead to animals suffering and the reduced efficacy of medications. Dangerous organisms and parasites can also develop resistance

time-read
2 minutos  |
October 18, 2024
Plant breeders' rights herald a new world of improved varieties
Farmer's Weekly

Plant breeders' rights herald a new world of improved varieties

New technology to create improved varieties is being developed at warp speed. Keep up with it, but take care not to run foul of the laws that protect it

time-read
3 minutos  |
October 18, 2024
One person, hundreds of animals die in Memel fires
Farmer's Weekly

One person, hundreds of animals die in Memel fires

An elderly woman of 80 was killed in the veld fires that destroyed about 50,000 ha in the Memel and Vrede districts of the Free State in the last week of September.

time-read
1 min  |
October 18, 2024