/ 23 March 2000

WEATHER BUREAU TO CHARGE FEES

THE SA Weather Bureau is to be turned into a statutory body that will charge fees for certain non-core services, Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Valli Moosa said on Thursday. Speaking at a function to celebrate World Meteorological Day 2000, Moosa said the objective is to enable the Weather Bureau to generate its own income. A draft Bill published last week provided for the new Weather Bureau to levy fees for meteorological services including advice to the legal and insurance industries, the provision of specific services to the media, and research to improve commercial services.