Hon House Chair, I will answer on behalf of the Minister.
The department is providing inputs into the investigation conducted by the National Consumer Commission and will deal with the gaps as identified during this investigation on the meat industry's mislabelling of meat products. The report will also help the department to deal with areas that need to be prioritised to ensure greater compliance. The department continues to work with provinces and municipalities to develop norms and standards for consistent monitoring and enforcement of food legislation as well as communication strategies targeting different audiences in the community, including consumers.
On the second question, the department is collaborating with sister departments - the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Department of Trade and Industry - to come up with a multipronged action plan which will address, amongst others, the challenges identified as a result of the overlaps in the legislative mandates. The recommended action plan was shared with the joint portfolio committees and will be submitted to Cabinet for consideration.
The compliance with labelling legislation is part of the inspection of food premises including labelling by food suppliers, and it is incorporated as part of the municipal health services in line with section 25(2)(f) of the National Health Act.
Some of the resolutions from the SA Local Government Association, Salga, Summit focus on the challenges faced by the municipalities in terms of strengthening their environmental health services in South Africa. The summit concluded, amongst other resolutions, that municipalities need to prioritise these services in their integrated development plans. The resolutions were adopted by Salga's national executive council in August 2013 and are being shared with other stakeholders including ourselves. We will continue strengthening our monitoring and support instruments to municipalities and provinces in ensuring compliance with these regulations. I thank you.
Hon Chairperson, thank you, Deputy Minister, for the response.
Deputy Minister, this incident happened a very long time ago and when it happened there was a huge outcry from the consumers. Now the question is: Are there any culprits that have been found to have contravened the relevant Act, and if there are any, what is happening in that respect? If no culprits were identified, what does the department think about prosecuting those who have contravened the Act? Thank you, hon Chairperson.
Hon Chair, thank you very much, hon member Ntapane for the follow-up question.
My understanding is that this question relates to the findings of the Stellenbosch University study on food control. The study showed there was mislabelling of meat products, which could mislead and greatly offend those who do not eat such meats. Of course, for those who are allergic to any meat product, be it beef, mutton, chicken or anything else that relates to mislabelling, this can cause problems such as allergic reactions. Up to now, no such incident has been reported to us.
Secondly, as I have said, let us not pre-empt the investigation of the National Consumer Commission. Let us, together, follow the outcomes hereof. Should there be any culprit identified, we will work with the relevant agencies to ensure that appropriate steps are followed. Thank you.
House Chairperson and hon Deputy Minister, food control mechanisms are characterised by fragmentation of authorities, legislation and lack of co-ordination between the departments that you have just mentioned, namely, the Department of Health, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Sometimes there is limited capacity - inadequate scientific input - with regard to the decision-making processes and also lack of financial and human capacity.
On 21 June 2013, there was a joint committee meeting where this issue of the meat industry's mislabelling was discussed. The proposal was agreed upon for the establishment of a specialised inspection unit comprising a legal team on food law which was aimed at providing support to the technical enforcement teams.
Now, my question is: Has the proposal been approved; if not, why not; if so, has any framework been established which will cover the scope of their duties; if not, why not?
Hon Kopane, thank you very much for the question.
As I have indicated, we really appreciated the joint portfolio committee's initiatives to engage with the three departments. Engagements had already begun even before then. Through those initiatives, there is already a proposed action plan. Amongst others, the recommendations of the joint portfolio committee have been considered through this process. Once the proposed action plan has been considered by Cabinet, we will share the outcomes thereof with Parliament and the public. I thank you.
House Chairperson and Deputy Minister, using the integrated approach that is happening now, is it possible to make consumers aware that there is such a thing and that they should, in addition to your activities, also raise their voices should they experience such situations? Thank you.
House Chairperson, I thank the member for the follow-up question.
It is important for us to continue with consumer education in addition to the awareness about the legislation itself. As I have indicated, we are working with both the provinces and the municipalities to strengthen consumer awareness as well as stakeholder awareness. In many cases, when consumers purchase these commodities, they do not necessarily read labels.
But, if ever there is an intention to mislead consumers, it will not be easy for consumers to detect this. So, that is why the mechanisms that we are putting in place are to enable us to do regular sampling and also intervene decisively in the protection of consumers, going forward. I thank you for the question.
House Chairperson and Deputy Minister, at the joint meeting of the portfolio committees on 21 June, we specifically asked that you make an example of people that contravene the meat labelling Act.
I have also asked questions to your department and the replies came back that, of all the tests that were done, 3% of people did not comply. When are we going to see action? We know about the plan that must go to Cabinet, and Cabinet will sit and then something may happen, maybe in five years. When will we see action on this? We need to know because people do not know what they are eating and it is your department's role to do that.
House Chair, thank you very much for the follow-up question.
I am very happy that you also highlighted that the practice of mislabelling is not widespread. I think that says that most of the corporate entities in South Africa in this industry are responsible corporate citizens and, therefore, they have the interests of the consumers at heart.
Secondly, I have reported that, since the joint portfolio committee meeting took place, there is work that has been done, and there is a proposed action plan. I have also asked that we not pre-empt the outcomes of the National Consumer Commission. We are also, as the Department of Health, providing evidence to enable them to conclude their investigations as soon as possible. Thank you.
Thank you, hon Minister.
Hon members, the time allocated for questions has expired. Outstanding replies received will be printed in the Hansard.
See also QUESTIONS AND REPLIES.