Pretoria - The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) has extended the deadline for public comments and submissions on the National Liquor Amendment Bill.
The deadline was extended for an additional two weeks with the closing date for comments being 30 November 2016.
The National Liquor Amendment Bill 2016 was published on 30 September 2016, for broader public consultation where interested parties are required to submit written comments within 30 calendar days from the date of publication.
In September, Cabinet announced that it has approved the publication of the bill which seeks to address the socio economic impact of liquor, the slow pace of transformation, standardisation of key aspects of regulation and improved regulatory collaboration.
The bill also addresses the eradication of manufacturing and trading of illegal and illicit alcohol, as well as challenges regarding regulatory capacity within the National Liquor Authority.
The intervention also focuses on reducing socio-economic harms and other costs of liquor abuse, restructuring the liquor industry and enhancing cooperation between all spheres of government.
In a statement on Thursday, Minister Rob Davies said the dti is currently having consultation sessions with affected stakeholders and associations. The Minister said he is pleased with the cordial and constructive manner in which stakeholders are participating.
Minister Davies said the extension will give members of Parliament and stakeholders an opportunity to provide valuable input following the consultative sessions. – SAnews.gov.za
