About applying to operate Fish Processing Establishment permit

To engage in a Fish Processing Establishment (FPE), you must be in a possession of an FPE permit. You can only apply for an FPE permit when you have a right upon invitation in the Government Gazette. However, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is currently accepting applications for exemptions to operate an FPE.

An FPE is a vehicle, vessel, premises, or a place where a substance or article is produced from fish. The substance may be produced by any method, such as cutting up, dismembering, separation of parts, cleaning, sorting, lining, and preserving fish. The establishment also includes a place where fish is canned, packed, dried, gutted, salted, iced, chilled, frozen or processed for sale in or outside South Africa.

The evaluation process will begin after the cut-off date for the applications. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry will announce the results. If granted the FPE right, you must apply for the permit to operate an FPE and satisfy the requirements to get a permit.

The Minister will approve an FPE exemption under exceptional circumstances. If an FPE exemption is granted you must apply for a permit to operate an FPE.

Note: You must renew the permit annually. Failure to adhere to permit  conditions may result in its suspension, cancellation or the revocation of the permit.

What you should do

Rights Application Procedure:

• If an invitation is published in the Government Gazette, you must go to the distribution centre to be announced with the invitation in the gazette.
• Carefully read, understand, and make sure that you are satisfied with the requirements and conditions.
• Pay a non-refundable prescribed fee to be announced in the gazette.
  

Exemption Application Procedure:

• The applicant must apply for a exemption by writing a detailed motivation.
• The motivation must be posted to the Department at Private Bag X2, Roggebaai, 8012.
  

Permit Application Procedure:

• Complete, sign, and submit the permit application form with the following documents:
  
• certified identity document (ID) copy
• authorisation letter from the rights holder nominating you to apply on behalf of the client / right holder
• Certified copy of company registration documents
• Valid original SARS Tax Clearance Certificate
• Proof of ownership of or lease agreement for the FPE (where applicable, e.g. land-based)
• A certified copy of a supply agreement(s) with the supplier of products to be processed
• Where applicable, certification by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS)
• If the fish is intended for human consumption, a certificate of acceptability for food premises from the nearest local/provincial authority must be obtained and a certified copy of original attached (land-based) (only if applicable)

How long does it take

The FPE exemption and permit  application may take 1 to 3 months subject to proper lodging of the letter of motivation and permit application and supporting documents.

How much does it cost

R1902

Forms to complete

Go to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in Cape Town: Customer Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foretrust Building, Martin Hammerschlag Way, Foreshore, Cape Town for information or to get the permit application to operate an FPE or go to the distribution point that would be announced by the department when the invitation to apply for a right will be published in the Government Gazette.

Who to contact
Customer Service Centre:
Tel: 021 402 3911
Fax: 021 402 3367
City/town: Cape Town
Province: Western Cape

Physical address: Customer Service Centre, Ground Floor Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Foretrust Building, Martin Hammerschlag Way, Foreshore, Cape Town, 8000
Postal address: Private Bag X2, Roggebaai, Cape Town, 8012