DIE OORSAKE VAN BEDRYFSKONSENTRASIE IN DIE ROOIVLEIS-BEDRYF VAN SUID-AFRIKA IN PERSPEKTIEF / The causes of trade concentration in the red meat industry of South Africa in perspective

Abstract

Inadequate proof exists for the sentiment that the current trade concentration in the red meat industry can primarily or even exclusively be laid at the door of the Meat Board's Meat Scheme. Trade concentration already existed prior to the establishment of the Meat Board and the Scheme, and would probably have taken place in any case. The Meat Board most likely only contributed to the momentum and maintenance of the concentration process. Secondly, concentration cannot be regarded simplistically as being the result of government interference. Such view is a denial of the problematic nature of economic power concentration and effective competition. The truth probably contains many more nuances. Thirdly, as far as policy is concerned, the narrow and one-sided identification of a simple (alleged) cause should not serve as a basis for an equally simple policy proposal. Contrary to certain arguments the concentration levels in the red meat industry would probably remain unchanged in an unregulated environment. A more creative solution than simple government withdrawal and deregulation will have to be sought.

Onvoldoende bewyse bestaan vir 'n sentiment dat die bedry fskonsentrasie in die rooivleisbedryf hoofsaaklik of selfs uitsluitlik voor die deur van die Vleisraad se Vleisskema gelê kan word. Bedryfskonsentrasie het reeds voor die ontstaan van die Vleisraad en die skema bestaan, en sou waarskynlik in elk geval plaasgevind het. Die Vleisraad het na alle waarskynlikheid hoogstens 'n bydrae tot die momentum en instandhouding van die konsentrasieproses verleen. Twdens, konsentrasie kan nie simplisties as die gevolg van owerheidsinmenging gesien word nie. So 'n siening misken die problematiek van ekonomiese magskonsentrasie en effektiewe mededinging. Die waarheid is waarskynlik veel meer genuanseerd. Derdens, wat beleid betref moet 'n eng en sydige identifikasie van 'n enkelvoudige (vermeende) oorsaak nie as basis dien vir 'n ewe enkelvoudige beleidsvoorstel nie. In teenstelling met sekere argumente, sal 'n ongereguleerde sisteem die konsentrasievlakke in die rooivleisbedryf waarskynlik onveranderd laat. 'n Meer verbeeldingryke uitweg sal gesoek moet word as blote staatsonttrekking en deregulering.