Ina Wilken, vice-chair of the National Consumer Forum, has cautioned red meat producers that the new National Consumer Act will be effective from 1 April.
“This Act is the best of its kind in the world,” she said at a Red Meat Producers Organisation (RPO) information day in Sutherland. “There are no loopholes.”
Wilken warned that complaints in terms of the Act could end up in the High Court. “The entire value chain and distribution channel could be held responsible for any contraventions of the Act. The consumer tribunal, for instance, has the authority to hand down a fine of 10% of the guilty party’s turnover, or impose a term of imprisonment not exceeding 10 years.” – Annelie Coleman
