Complaint

Complaint number
NTB-000-546  
NTB Type
1.2. Government monopoly in export/import  
Complaint
Zimbabwe has too many agencies issuing agricultural Permits, thereby giving problems to those who would want to obtain them, for example you have to go to gugunyana offices then you go to Mazowe Plant and Quarantine offices then also you have to go to AMA (agricultural marketing authority) this process we feel its too long why cant it be done under one roof, or one just live your application then the move around into different offices is done within the office bearers  
Status note
Zimbabwe reported that most of the issues are of policy nature therefore awareness programmes with relevant stakeholders and government agencies will be undertaken .  
Progress update note
1. During the meeting of COMESA Heads of Customs sub committee held from 19-20 June 2015, Zimbabwe reported that the NTB was an internal control measure and what was required was sensitization of stakeholders on various import and export requirements. The meeting did not pronounce itself on this issue. It is recommended that the focal point explore acting on the advice from the COMESA secretariat on 2. below

2. On 26th June 2014, COMESA secretariat SPS experts advised that inspections should be risk based and recommend that inspections should be based on risk assessment so that low risk products are not subject to rigorous inspections. COMESA further advised that the issue concerning multiple authorities issuing certificates could be simplified depending on the commodity/product. Capacity constraints could be overcome with good practices such as risk assessment and risk based inspections, mutual recognition arrangements etc. The secretariat requested the focal point to clarify the type of product affected by the measure and the specifics of the complaint to enable them to advise better.

3. On 7th August 2013, Zimbabwe focal point reported that officials from the Ministry of Agriculture advised that, currently all the permits are centralised due to lack of resources to administer them at border posts since these require testing equipment which is costly as well as specialists to carry out the inspections. The Ministry alluded to the regional situation indicating the lack of capacity at Member State level to decentralise issuance of agriculture permits. The practice is usually found in the Developed World. Zimbabwe is therefore seeking guidance on the way forward on this issue since this problem is experienced in the whole SADC region.  
Policy or regulatory NTB
No 
Location
Zimbabwe: Harare offices (Government institution)  
Reporting Country or Region
Zimbabwe  
Country specific trade issue
No  
Date of incident
2010-09-01  
Status
Resolved  
Date of resolution
2016-08-24  
Product Description
All products


 
Total value
US$15 000.00  
Date reported
2012-11-13 14:19  
Modified
2016-08-24 23:42