Another extension of the comment period concerning the alcohol control bill
The Department of Trade and Industry has again extended the deadline for submission of written public comments on the National Liquor Amendment Bill.
Minister of Trade and Industry Hon. Rob Davies said the extension to December 15, 2016, is the result of constructive consultative sessions that the department had with the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry and the South African Liquor Brandowners Association.
The Bill was published on September 30, 2016, for broader public consultation. To participate in the consultative process interested parties were initially required to submit written comments within 30 calendar days from the date of publication.
The closing date for the submission of comments was extended to 15 November 2016 and again to 30 November 2016.
The alcohol control bill
In September, the South African government had announced that it has approved the publication of the bill which seeks to address the socio-economic impact of alcohol on the country.
The bill addresses the eradication of manufacturing and trading of illegal and illicit alcohol, as well as challenges regarding regulatory capacity within the National Liquor Authority.