DURBAN: The South African Poultry Association claims it is owed almost R900 000 by a Winterton farm for not paying levies on eggs packaged and sold between November 2009 and March 2013.
But the farm says the claim is prescribed, which means it is not legally bound to pay the debt as the time frame for doing so has passed. It also says the Ukhahlamba Poultry Farm is not an entity, as defined in government notices, which is liable to pay the levy sought.
The case came before the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Wednesday and a date is to be set to determine questions of law and whether the farm owes the money. The claim said that in October 2009, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries introduced a levy relating to packed chicken eggs. It was the intention that the egg producer selling eggs for commercial use should be liable for payment of the levy.
The association had been appointed as the administrator entrusted with the implementation and enforcement of laws. The levy should have been paid to the association, or the supplier, who would in turn pay the association. The farm failed to pay R872 346 in total.
