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The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: ... The Northern Cape has a coast ... [Interjections.] The Western Cape has only a part of that coast. The Eastern Cape has a coast, and KwaZulu-Natal has a coast.
Can they manage it? [Applause.]
The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: Inland provinces have the responsibility to deliver on aquaculture, so that we can grow jobs and grow the industry. [Interjections.] Hon members, the department is the ... [Interjections.]
Order! Order, please, hon members!
The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: The department is the custodian of South Africa's forest resources, which cover over 40 million hectares of the country's land surface area. The forestry sector employs about 201 000 workers. It provides about 77 000 direct jobs and 30 000 indirect jobs. It provides a livelihood and support to 2,3 million people in our rural areas.
Now, if this is a livelihood provision for 2,3 million people in rural areas, then there has to be transformation in Forestry, and we cannot have Forestry being predominantly owned by the Sappis and Mondis. [Interjections.]
Downstream activities in the sector employ 52 000 people in direct and indirect jobs. Another 11 000 workers are employed in miscellaneous jobs in the sector. The Forestry and Natural Resources Management branch of the department will continue to support and conduct research initiatives and programmes to gain a better understanding of the processes behind climate change, vulnerability and ecofriendly agricultural practices. The Branch: Forestry and Natural Resources Management will get R1,2 billion during this financial year to manage our forests and natural resources.
There are huge policy gaps in Forestry. We need the lifespans of BEE and the BEE Council to be extended so that our transformation agenda can be achieved. Eighteen years into democracy and we are still lagging behind in some parts in Forestry. There is a need for constant monitoring and evaluation of black economic empowerment and its impact on the historically disadvantaged in forestry. There is a need for policy integration that will be integrated into all institutions to ensure continual and constant empowerment of black people in forestry.
To the students who are here today: Welcome! We would like to see you having a future in agriculture, but I have a serious problem. We were able to find students studying agriculture, but we struggled to find students studying forestry and fisheries. So, to all those students who say that they don't have bursaries, please consider studying forestry and fisheries as a priority so that we can have black students in that sector as well. [Applause.]
Our country has been plagued by natural disasters and animal diseases. Between December 2010 and January 2011, we had devastating floods in Limpopo, the Free State, the North West, Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and the Northern Cape. We have begun the process of implementing the flood assistance scheme with its emphasis on infrastructure and repairs. [Interjections.]
We are still concerned that flood relief does not reach the farmers adequately and sufficiently and fast enough. To this end, we will ring- fence money and prioritise that money as an advance for future disasters, so that disaster relief money does not arrive a year after the disaster, but that it is actually in our budget, ahead of any potential disaster.
This is not an agriculture problem. It is not a uniquely agricultural problem because the money comes from Treasury. From Treasury it goes to local government, and from local government it is then allocated.
Animal disease outbreaks, such as Rift Valley Fever, Newcastle Disease, avian influenza, foot-and-mouth disease, African horse sickness and African swine fever, have been serious challenges in our industry. Our department will have to improve on its capacity to deal with such disasters, as they impact adversely on the rural economy.
An amount of R954 million is allocated for plant and animal production, including inspection and laboratory services; R935 million is allocated for agricultural research - which is a substantial increase for research; R868 million is allocated for food security initiatives; and R340 million is allocated for extension support services, including new farmer development and support.
Chairperson, I'll do the thank yous when I wrap up. I thank you. [Applause.]
Igama lamadoda. [In the name of manhood!]
HON MEMBERS: Malibongwe! [Praise!]
Hon Chairperson, farm workers, fishermen and fisherwomen, forestry planters and union leaders in the respective sectors of the industry, farmers, fishing industry players, forestry operators, Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson, Ministers present, Deputy Minister Pieter Mulder, Deputy Ministers present, colleagues, fellow chairpersons from other provinces, Director-General Langa Zitha and his team from the department, presidents, chief executive officers and managing directors from state- owned enterprises, staff of Parliament, fellow South Africans, allow me to salute you in this month of the workers in the name of the downtrodden, the poor fishermen and fisherwomen, farm workers and forestry planters to whom I dedicate this speech.
It was on 26 June 1955 that the Congress of the People declared ... [Interjections.]
HON MEMBERS: The real one. The real one. [Interjections.]
The land shall be shared among those who work it! Restrictions of land ownership on a racial basis shall be ended, and all the land redivided amongst those who work it to banish famine and land hunger ...
[Interjections.]
Hon members, order!
The state shall help the peasants with implements, seed, tractors and dams to save the soil and assist the tillers; Freedom of movement shall be guaranteed to all who work on the land;
All shall have the right to occupy land wherever they choose;
People shall not be robbed of their cattle, and forced labour and farm prisons shall be abolished.
That's what the Congress of the People said and, indeed, the pseudo- Congress of the People of today cannot say anything close to this. [Interjections.]
Almost 40 years later, the Reconstruction and Development Programme, RDP, further enhanced this Freedom Charter vision by aiming to increase production and employment in agriculture through the further development of commercial agriculture. At the same time, it saw the need to change ownership patterns through land reform and improve support to small-scale agriculture, particularly to women.
A key aim of the RDP was to provide affordable food to meet the basic needs of all South Africans. Full worker rights were to be extended to farm workers and their working and living conditions improved. That's what the RDP said. It continued and said that the fishing industry had to be restructured so that poor coastal communities could have access to sea resources and there was sustainable management of these resources.
There must be tighter government control and better management of our forestry resources in order to lower the price of paper.
These are not my words; this is what was proclaimed in the RDP in 1994.
Our own National Development Plan further enjoins us to envision a South Africa in which, by 2020, the number of households living below R418 per month has decreased from 39% to zero.
By 2030, South Africa's rural communities should have greater opportunity to participate fully in the economic, social and political life of the country. People should be able to access high quality basic services to enable them to be well nourished, healthy and increasingly skilled. Rural communities will be supported by agriculture - agroprocessing - and fisheries.
The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries department, consistent with the country's development plan, has identified Vision 2030 in its Integrated Growth and Development Plan. It seeks to grow and transform the three subsectors of our economy through "... equitable, productive, competitive, profitable and sustainable agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors, growing to the benefit of all South Africans".
Right from the time the Freedom Charter was adopted, until now, with the Integrated Growth and Development Plan, IGDP, society was taken on board, confirming every step of the way that, indeed, the ANC leads and the ANC lives. [Applause.] This is precisely because here you are talking about a shared vision. Any vision must be shared by all for it to succeed in any society which intends to implement it.
Hon Deputy Minister, Vote 26 therefore provides us with a platform that seeks to take forward this vision of "an equitable, productive, competitive, profitable and sustainable agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector, growing to the benefit of all South Africans" by realising the goal of land being shared among those who work it.
I must spell out from the outset that, given the mammoth task confronting the department, its budget, alongside those of the National Agriculture Marketing Council, the Perishable Products Export Control Board, the Agricultural Research Council and Onderstepoort Biological Products, falls far short of realising the vision that has been spelt out.
Minister, I am convinced that, in the words of the hon Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan: "In harnessing all the resources at our disposal, we have to do more, with less; we have to work smarter and harder."
Fellow South Africans, commercial agriculture covers productive areas of approximately 82 million hectares and is made up of less than 40 000 predominantly white-owned farmer units in South Africa. It is responsible for more than 99% of South Africa's formal marketed agricultural output. There has been a significant increase in the concentration of farm holdings as a result of smaller and less efficient farms, unable to take advantage of increasing economies of scale, being forced out of the sector.
Despite the decrease in the number of farming units, output from commercial agriculture has continued to grow, implying an increase in the efficiency of production. Export growth has increased, especially in the horticultural sector. Trade figures show that South African farm exports increased from R45 billion in 2008 to R46 billion in 2009, while imports decreased by 8,5% to R35 billion in 2009. The sector has, however, become more sustainable in environmental terms.
Smallholder agriculture covers an estimated 14 million hectares of agricultural land and involves some 300 000 to 350 000 predominantly black farmers. It is concentrated principally in the former homeland areas of the country, and is thus marginalised into regions of poor productive land, with little or no infrastructural support or water resources.
The smallholder farmers generally have low levels of productive efficiency, and their productive inefficiency is linked primarily to poor farmer management skills, eg natural resource management, production and infrastructural management. This is exacerbated by poor and unco-ordinated support services directed at smallholder farms, among other things, financial services, technical support, access to transport and other support infrastructure.
The nature of existing value chains and value-chain governance locks small farmers out of the markets. There is poor co-ordination amongst small farmers in accessing services, which is exacerbated by input and output markets. In general, there is insufficient information and data regarding smallholder farming, hence the need for co-ordinated research and data information and a call centre.
When it comes to transformation, Minister, I must mention that our committee is not satisfied with the legislative programme from your department especially aimed at driving transformation in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors of our economy.
We don't want transformation! [Laughter.]
Yes, we do have the AgriBEE Charter and the Forestry Charter, but these seriously lack teeth, as these sectors remain untransformed owing to the fact that these charters do not obligate the industries to comply with the rest of the country on a forward march drive. We have no option but to engage with the fisheries sector, both fishermen and fisherwomen, together with industry players, to go into a Fisheries Charter gear.
Lastly, the Department of Trade and Industry must be called upon to present its Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Amendment Bill, currently under discussion. In this day and age, it can't be that we still have people who promote fronting, both perpetrators and victims, and who go on unpunished.
Part of measures aimed at supporting and empowering smallholder and subsistence farmers are the state-owned enterprises, whose mandate continues to be that of both pre- and post-settlement support and the marketing of agriculture, forestry and fisheries products.
Research and development cannot be a debate of whether to support these any longer. If we are serious about food production and security in our country and the export of net food produce we must invest in the Agricultural Research Council, our premier state-owned research institution. With the advent of diseases flowing out of climate change, whether due to rains or drought, Onderstepoort Biological Products, OBP, must always be combat-ready and anticipate any outbreaks by inoculating our animals at regular intervals.
Indeed, climate change impacts on poverty, health and jobs - on the daily survival of people. Addressing a Globe International Forum in December 2011, the hon Speaker of Parliament, Mr Max Sisulu, said:
Climate change is becoming the main restraint on development, reversing the significant progress being made towards achieving our developmental goals such as the Millennium Development Goals.
Obsolete equipment in both the ARC and OBP must be attended to as a matter of urgency if we are to achieve our intended goals in our stated vision and our food security goals in South Africa. It is at the research and development stages that all nations make a vast difference towards sustainable food security.
Hon Minister, let this be the last financial year that the Land Bank is detached from where it belongs, which is agriculture. Also, as legislatures, we have a duty to make the Land Bank a smallholder's first lender of choice that is accessible and affordable.
A debate on whether we are a developmental state is behind us and, as such, without a lender of first choice - called the Land Bank - South Africa and its dreams of growing smallholder farmers and the transformation of agriculture will remain a pipe dream.
Lastly, after all is said and done, an extension service makes or breaks any ambition of any smallholder. I repeat: after all is said and done, an extension service makes or breaks any ambition of any smallholder farmer. The state of our extension services in South Africa, by and large, leaves a lot to be desired.
Through a collaborative exercise between all agriculture, forestry and fisheries training institutions, both within the said sectors and other provinces and at national level, the strengthening of extension services must be treated as an emergency.
In 2003, South Africa signed a declaration with Maputo, agreeing to an increase of our national annual Budget to 10% by 2008. Agriculture's contribution towards the GDP is expected to be at 6%. Currently, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' budget stands at 0,9% of our national Budget, whilst agriculture's contribution to GDP stands at 3%.
Whilst we may be struggling with the fiscus in meeting our own signed agreements, like the Maputo Declaration, payments of 10% equity for communities, at the price and time Safcol's - the SA Forestry Company Limited - privatisation transactions were concluded, cannot be extended anymore. What this means is that development in these poor communities has since stalled unnecessarily, owing to the lopsided priorities of our own Department of Public Enterprises.
The last point I want to make is that as we move forward with our country on the instruction of His Excellency President Zuma, who has given us a clear historic challenge to write a new story about South Africa - the story of how working together we can drive back unemployment and reduce economic inequalities - the situation on the farms is certainly writing a different story. Clearly instructions are being given elsewhere, with no intention of moving forward with our country. We have a duty and a responsibility to redirect the energies of both the farmer and the farm worker. Those energies are needed more in writing His Excellency the hon Jacob Zuma's story of driving back unemployment and economic inequality.
No amount of anger that leads to the killing of any farmer shall be condoned in the South Africa we live in today. No such anger shall be allowed to rob and maim any Afrikaner boer - an African farmer, so to speak. Equally, no amount of hatred shall drive any farmer to shoot and kill a young Rodney Tarentaal, 11 - thinking he was a dog - in Klipplaat. This case remains unresolved until today. Farm workers are human beings who must never be thrown out onto the streets, as happened in Patensie, only because they are no longer workers of any particular African farmer. [Interjections.] The ANC supports the Budget Vote. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Agb Voorsitter, daar is elke jaar 74 miljoen meer mense op aarde. Dit was groot nuus verlede jaar toe die wreldbevolking die sewe miljard-kerf verbygesteek het. Elke vier dae is daar nog 'n miljoen nuwe monde wat kos, water en klere moet kry. Alles dui daarop dat die wreldbevolking teen 2050 tot meer as nege miljard sal styg.
Die voorspelling vir Suid-Afrika is dat die bevolking teen 2030 tot 57 miljoen sal styg. As u vandag een van die gelukkige mense was wat geet het, miskien selfs alreeds twee keer, dink daaraan dat agt miljoen mense jaarliks sterf omdat hulle te arm is om hul mees basiese behoeftes te bevredig.
Daar is elke dag 30 000 kinders wat aan voorkombare siektes en hongersnood sterf. Elke jaar sterf 6 miljoen kinders voor hul vyfde verjaarsdag weens wanvoeding. In Suid-Afrika is daar naastenby 14 miljoen mense wat nie verseker is van 'n bord kos elke dag nie.
Prof Julian Cribb voorspel in sy boek The Coming Famine: The Global Food Crisis and What We Can Do to Avoid It, dat die belangrikste kwessie vir die samelewing in die volgende 50 jaar nie klimaatsverandering of die wreldwye finansile krisis is nie, maar wel voedselsekuriteit. Dit is vanuit hierdie perspektief dat ek op die landbou in Suid-Afrika toespits. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Mrs A STEYN: Hon Chairperson, every year there are 74 million more people on earth. It was major news last year when the earth's population passed the 7 billion mark. Every 4 days there are a million more new mouths needing food, water and clothing. Everything points towards the earth's population increasing to more than nine billion by 2050.
The prediction for South Africa is that the population will increase to 57 million by 2030. If you are one of the lucky people who has had a meal today, perhaps even two, consider the fact that 8 million people are dying annually because they are too poor to attend to their most basic needs.
Every day 30 000 children are dying from preventable diseases and famine. Every year 6 million children will die from malnutrition before their fifth birthday. In South Africa approximately 14 million people are not assured of a daily plate of food.
In his book The Coming Famine: The Global Food Crisis and What We Can Do to Avoid It, Prof Julian Cribb predicts that society's most important issue in the coming 50 years will not be climate change, nor the worldwide financial crisis, but rather food security. It is from this perspective that I wish to focus on agriculture in South Africa.]
According to the strategic overview of the department, the estimated volume of agricultural production in 2010-11 was basically the same as in 2009-10. The volume of field crop production reflected a 4,5% decrease as a result of a decline in the production of summer grains. Maize production decreased by 2 million tons, or 15%, against the previous season, followed by wheat with 27%.
Animal production increased slightly by 1,8% as a result of the 23 000 tons in cattle and calves slaughtered and 3,3% in poultry slaughtered. However, the amount of sheep and goats slaughtered showed a decrease in production of 16%.
A reply to a parliamentary question this week revealed that in 2011 there were 3 000 reported sheep deaths and 268 000 goat deaths from Rift Valley fever alone. Given that the majority of deaths are not reported, the true figure is likely much higher. A large part of this decline may be attributed to the state vaccine deficiency, a subject I shall return to shortly.
In terms of our balance of trade, it is expected that the imports of most of the basic food staples, meat and dairy products will increase and exports will decrease. Poor South Africans can hardly afford the resultant food inflation. This is still from the strategic report of the department itself.
Dt is die ware prentjie van die Suid-Afrikaanse landbou. Ons moet ons dus afvra watter rol die staat moet vervul om te verseker dat Suid-Afrika se boere hul volle potensiaal bereik. Die doel moet tog wees om 'n gunstige beleidsomgewing te skep waarin die landbou kan fokus op winsgewendheid en mededingingdheid in 'n globale omgewing. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[This is the true picture of South African agriculture. So we must ask ourselves what role the state should be playing in order to ensure that South Africa's farmers are reaching their full potential. Surely the goal should be the creation of a suitable policy environment within which agriculture can focus on profitability and competitiveness in a global environment.]
Agriculture plays numerous roles in society. The most obvious is to produce food. Factors such as weather conditions, commodity prices, input costs, stock levels and consumption demand, as well as exchange rates, will continue to influence agricultural production in the country. It is becoming more and more difficult to manage farm costs owing to rising input costs like electricity and water tariffs.
It is therefore important to ensure regulatory certainty for people to make informed choices. The uncertainty regarding the land reform programme and safety and security in rural areas play critical roles in farmers deciding to leave South Africa to farm elsewhere in Africa.
Minister, South Africa is built on the back of dispossession, and the DA recognises the policy shift of the department to put greater emphasis on job creation, the development of smallholder producers, and the implementation of the Zero Hunger programme. But, with a total budget for agriculture of only R5,8 billion or 0,6% of the total Budget, we cannot afford to lose focus regarding the role of the department, and we should debate the extent to which the state should be directly involved in economic activity.
The DA supports the development of small-scale farmers and the establishment of food gardens to help with the massive need to eradicate hunger and poverty, especially in the former homeland areas. It is for this reason that I undertook a road trip, together with my colleague the hon Trollip, to the Eastern Cape to see for myself what progress has been made in the former Ciskei and Transkei areas. According to an answer by the Minister, the department has spent R90 million since 2008 on the revitalisation of the Eastern Cape irrigation schemes. This amount excludes the amount spent by the province or the district municipalities.
Die resultaat van hierdie besoek was gemeng, en het gewissel van baie goed in sekere areas tot baie swak in andere. Dit was opvallend dat die skemas waar daar samewerking was tussen die gemeenskappe, regering en privaatsektor, duidelik meer suksesvol is. Dit is dus belangrik dat geld nie vermors moet word op projekte waar mense net elke jaar nuwe fondse ontvang, en waar gemeenskappe nie vir hul eie vooruitgang verantwoordelikheid aanvaar nie.
'n Besoek aan Qamata was 'n laagtepunt vir my. Die kwaliteit van landbougrond word ondermyn deur ernstige erosie, en daar is feitlik geen boerdery aktiwiteite sigbaar nie. Toe ek amptenare van die departement by die plaaslike kantoor oor hul pligte uitvra, was die rede vir die verval gou duidelik. Hulle kon geen antwoorde verskaf nie. Ek moes later navraag doen oor wie elke maand hul salarisse betaal, net om te bevestig dat hulle wel vir die departement werk.
Die grootste gedeelte van die fondse vir hierdie programme word aan die provinsies oorgedra. Ons komitee het in die verlede baie min inligting ontvang oor die resultate wat bereik is. Die DA het voorgestel dat ons vanaf hierdie jaar 'n volledige verslag van elke provinsie ontvang, om seker te maak dat die begroting aangewend word tot die voordeel van gemeenskappe. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[The result of this visit was mixed, varying from very good in some areas to very poor in others. It was remarkable to note that, where co-operation between communities, government and the private sector was in place, the schemes were clearly more successful. It is therefore important that money is not wasted on projects where people are merely receiving new funding annually, but where communities are not accepting responsibility for their own progress.
A visit to Qamata was a low point for me. The quality of agricultural soil is being undermined by serious erosion and farming activities are barely noticeable. When I questioned officials of the department at the local office regarding their duties, the reason for the decline soon became apparent. They could not provide me with answers. Eventually I had to enquire about who was paying their salaries every month in order to just establish that they were indeed working for the department.
The biggest portion of funding for this programme is transferred to the provinces. In the past our committee has received very little information on the results that have been achieved. The DA has proposed that from this year on we receive a full report from each province, in order to ensure that the budget is being appropriated to the benefit of the communities.]
Agricultural production, health and food safety get the biggest slice of the department's budget allocation with an amount of R1,9 billion, and rightly so, as this programme's purpose is to manage the risks associated with animal diseases, plant pests, genetically modified organisms and the registration of products used in agriculture, to promote food security and safety, and to create an enabling environment for increased and sustainable agricultural production.
Chairperson, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is responsible for the biosecurity of animal health. The assurance of a disease-free animal population is critical for the export of live animals as well as meat products. South Africa has experienced a number of disease outbreaks since 2010, and you mentioned that in your budget speech, Minister. This is costing the country billions of rand in lost export revenue. A possible reason for these outbreaks could be the fragmented way in which the department deals with animal health.
I have asked the chairperson of the portfolio committee to call an urgent meeting with all role-players to find a solution to this situation. It is not reassuring to read the following in the annual report of the South African Veterinary Council, namely that "another year has passed in which the Council has failed to secure a meeting with its Minister ... It therefore could not achieve its objective to advise the Minister on matters affecting the veterinary and para-veterinary professions, the peoples and animals they serve". I learnt later that they had met with the Deputy Minister, but it is a concern that for three years they hadn't met with the Minister. Maybe I am wrong, but that was my information. [Interjections.] During the state of the nation address in 2011, President Zuma announced R800 million for flood damage, and two weeks later Minister Gordhan announced a further R600 million. This was later followed up by another announcement of R250 million from Minister Joemat-Pettersson. Now, more than a year later, farmers have not received a single cent of the disaster relief promised. Minister, you have mentioned that it will be ring-fenced in future, but I want to know and the farmers out there want to know what is happening with the money that was promised in 2011.
To achieve food security, farmers and farm workers need dedication and support from government. We do not need a Minister that is simply out of touch with the needs of the agricultural sector. [Applause.] It is simply not good enough to have a Minister that tells farmers about fashion and how she was responsible for making ostrich feathers fashionable. [Laughter.]
Dit help ook nie dat die agb Adjunkminister moet kom verduidelik wat sy werk in die komitee is nie. Die Adjunkminister het ons meegedeel dat die werk die voorbereiding van wetgewing behels het. In die laaste drie jaar het hierdie portefeuljekomitee geen wetgewing gehanteer nie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[It is also not helpful that the hon Deputy Minister has had to explain his role in the committee. The Deputy Minister informed us that the job was the preparation of legislation. In the past three years this portfolio committee has not dealt with any legislation.]
When I asked a farmer how important management was on his farm, he responded by saying that the land was not what brings in the money, but the management determines whether you make or break it. Well, Minister, we are afraid that you are not making it. More than that, it is clear that members of South Africa's rural economy have lost faith in your management. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Chairperson and Minister, in the Hogarth column of the Sunday Times of 29 April, under the heading "Letting 'em have it", the following appeared:
The Department of Public Works recently came under harsh criticism. In the words of an outraged critic: "There are a lot of shenanigans in Public Works. All big tenders have a problem. It's a fact that there are serious problems in the department. Officials disregard supply-chain management procedures and accept big gifts, such as cars. Nobody wants to associate himself with this department."
Members, I asked who the critic was, and why. And he is none other than the Minister of Public Works, Thulas Nxesi. If the hon Minister Thulas Nxesi was correctly quoted, then he deserves accolades for his forthcoming admission of the failures of the department, without fear or favour, and our hon Minister can add a notch to her credibility if she emulates this responsibly and professionally.
For now, the signs are that her department is in a state of political confusion, as it lacks political leadership cohesion. The relationship between the Minister and the Deputy Minister in the department is cause for concern in department corridors.
The Minister continues to centralise power in her office, undermining the Deputy Minister and senior officials. The Minister undermines the role of the administrators, and she has become the director-general of the department herself. We doubt her understanding of professionalism and the relationship between political office bearers and administrators. [Interjections.] She always distances herself from collective responsibility of the department. The department's poor service delivery is not because of officials that the Minister keeps changing every month in the Ministry and the department. The Minister blames officials whenever the department is accused of poor service delivery.
Owing to the Minister's approach, we have seen specialists in the department move to areas that do not relate to academic specialisation under her leadership. We ask ...
Order, hon members! Hon member, hold on. Hon members, you are making it difficult for me to hear the speaker.
The ANC is unable to listen. [Interjections.] We ask ourselves whether she understands the department's strategic objective of recruiting specialised personnel to assist the processes of food production and security in our country. Politicians must stop treating officials like slaves. They are good men and women of credibility and value in the Public Service. Doing things differently is a strategic imperative; it requires speed. Doing things differently does not need to be used to settle old political scores.
In 2010 the department was meant to spend R450 million on the purchase of tractors and farm equipment to be delivered to all nine provinces, but only two provinces benefited. The nondelivery to other provinces was mired in controversy. The Minister allegedly stated that the acquisition could not be concluded because the procurement processes were compromised and that proceeding with the project would have impacted negatively on the image of government. The Minister must explain which procurement processes were compromised and whether delivery to the other provinces was executed.
The Minister must abide by the laws of the country when issuing tenders, for example when it came to Kingmaker Communications.
Cope knows that several commodities, including, but not limited to, potatoes, wheat, chicken, beef and many more are being imported into the country at the expense of the promotion of local industries, with the net result that jobs are compromised. Jobs are being lost in the downstream value addition.
The department is failing not only workers but the country as a whole by not doing enough to promote the growth of local commodities. Foreign imports continue to undermine our local products. Let the progress in exports not compromise local production.
For a lengthy period, the red meat industry forum failed to access an appointment with this Minister and the department. Minister, we want to raise serious concerns about issues that impact on the sustainability of the local red meat industry. Cope notes that this industry generates billions for our economy. Yet, the Minister refuses to listen to these critical stakeholders. Many of the stakeholders are compelled to take the department to court.
The Land Bank celebrated 100 years of existence this year. Since its founding, it has promoted many new farmers, extending bank loans at low single-digit interest rates. The bank is expected to do the same for today's new emerging farmers as it did in the apartheid era. The cost of accessing loans is very high for emerging farmers. The Minister once more promised to put in place ...
Hon member, could you please take a seat. Do you have a point of order, hon member?
It is a point of order, Chairperson. Is it parliamentary for the member to shake when he reads a statement? [Laughter.]
The Minister once more promised to put in place a one-stop finance vehicle at a much lower interest rate. Should a true Land Bank be unable to provide it, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries must revise the single-digit interest loan facility which worked well years ago. The Land Bank must also account to the nation on the empowerment of emerging farmers.
The department's catastrophic record of failing to deal proactively and timeously with emergencies and disaster management, its poor control of animal and plant diseases, and the spread of foot-and-mouth disease has had an extreme effect on black emerging farmers.
In our oversight visit to KwaZulu-Natal, poor black farmers are left alone to starve by this Minister, with no support system from the department to assist in alternative ways of cattle farming or alternative markets for them to sell their products to. One senior citizen literally cried in front of us because this Minister does not give them hope. We note the contribution made by stakeholders in capacity-building in terms of Grain SA. Since 2004, they have spent a minimum of R88 million in assisting black farmers. The Minister has done nothing in terms of assisting black emerging farmers.
The Marine Living Resources Act of 1998 states that all natural resources of the marine environment belong to all the people of South Africa. We must admit that a lot needs to be done in transforming the fisheries industry in South Africa in order for us to realise the attainment of the empowerment of South Africans. This sector continues to benefit the historically dominant industry of the old order. Fundamental transformation is needed. The quota formula has disadvantaged many. If properly managed, this sector can be an alternative food basket for our country.
Minister, it is our concern as a country that we are failing to produce black marine biologists. In building the next new generation of academics, an effort to build specialists from the historically marginalised will be critical.
Hon member, I'm sorry but your time has expired.
Cope is prepared to have few friends as long as the future security of food and access ...
Hon member ... [Interjections.] Hon member ... [Interjections.]
... and access to food are not compromised. [Interjections.]
Hon member ... [Interjections.] Hon member ...
Cope can provide a better budget, Minister! [Interjections.] [Time expired.]
Hon members, could we please have order so that we can hear the speakers.
Chairperson, on a point of order: Is it parliamentary for a Minister to stand and say: "Sit down. Sit down. Sit down."? [Interjections.]
Hon members, could we please have order?
Hon Chairperson, the IFP will support this Budget Vote mainly for two reasons. Firstly, we would like to see the implementation of the key programme to transform this sector. Secondly, we would like to see an acceleration of agricultural development in the rural areas.
Currently, these areas are where the poorest of the poor are living. Yet, they are almost totally neglected. This makes it clear, therefore, that the IFP support for the budget is informed more by expectations than by the achievements of the department.
I am fully aware that this is a new department which needs time to put its strategies and structures in place before it can turn to implementation. This preparatory work usually takes up to two years, but perhaps there is just one major weakness of the ANC government. They do not allow many departments to stabilise and settle down to do their business. Each new term of government sets up its new departments and appoints new Ministers.
It may be argued that this is necessary, but it definitely has its shortcomings as portfolio committees are then bombarded with plan after plan of what the new department would like to achieve, leaving themselves little time to deliver on such plans. No wonder there is this huge outcry for delivery of services, even by supporters of the governing party.
Strategic plans that are not implemented remain just that: mere plans that benefit nobody, no matter how beautiful they might be. This department needs stability even more than many other departments because it must bring the hope of survival to millions of citizens of this country by ensuring food security. In these days of unprecedented unemployment, agricultural products would go a long way towards putting some food on the table.
With the little time at my disposal, let me focus more on rural development. As far as this is concerned, I sometimes get the idea that those who strategise around rural development are not exactly familiar with this terrain. For instance, they recognise that the planting of mealies, which is a staple food for most South Africans, is imperative. Provincial departments of agriculture then proceed to rural areas to plough the land.
In Nkandla, where I come from, their tractors usually arrive in February, whereas the ploughing season in that part of the world is between October and December. In my book, that counts as sheer wasteful expenditure.
Then again, the department focuses more on enhancing the productive capacity of black emerging farmers and neglects access to markets. Through its extension officers, it encourages such smallholder farmers to concentrate on poultry farming and vegetable and fruit gardens, which unfortunately yield perishable products. They assist with seeds and capital funding. Sadly, there is no buying power in the rural areas. People who have some money are pensioners and other categories of persons who receive government grants. Add to these a few teachers, nurses, police members, councillors and municipal staff, etc, and that constitutes your local market.
I have witnessed thousands of bags of potatoes going rotten in the farmers' sheds. I have witnessed many ripe chickens which continue feeding for a week or more, thus eating into the profits owing to slow sales because there are no abattoirs to slaughter them for bulk sale.
In the neighbouring towns, where commercial farmers have abattoirs galore, these are not accessible to the black farmer, even for hire, on the pretext that the black farmers' chickens carry diseases. The tragedy of this whole exercise is that this country imports up to 800 000 chickens every month from countries like China and Brazil.
It is not that I am against white farmers. In fact, the IFP deplores the exodus of white farmers to countries like Mozambique, Zambia, Uganda and Kenya. This has eroded our status of being the food basket of the continent. I am only decrying the lack of collaboration by certain role- players in this industry.
Accordingly, more serious attention must be given to black emerging farmers and even to subsistence farmers if we are committed to rural development. I thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Chair, the UDM supports Budget Vote 26. Agriculture continues to play an important role in South Africa. It provides employment and business opportunities to many people. In addition, it represents a significant proportion of South African exports, and thus makes a valuable contribution towards generating foreign revenue.
Therefore, the department needs all the support it can get from us. However, there are a number of areas that we find worrisome. The department gives inadequate support to rural communities and emerging farmers. As a result, agricultural activity in rural communities merely revolves around subsistence farming.
Adding insult to injury was the failure of the department to provide tractors and farming equipment to poor rural farmers, as it had promised. According to this project, R450 million was set aside for the mechanisation of poor rural farms, which the department failed to implement properly. This crisis deepened when the department seemed to lack a clear policy on how to allocate the tractors in question to various provinces. To date, the department is yet to provide a credible explanation for this fiasco.
Hon Minister, in your visit to the Mqanduli area in the Eastern Cape you promised the AmaGebe rural tribal authority 17 tractors and 17 implements. To date, those tractors have not been delivered. Furthermore, regarding the policy on the tractors, when you visited Pongola in KwaZulu-Natal, the chairperson of the standing committee in KwaZulu-Natal said that one of the tractors was lost and they did not know how the tractors were allocated to people. That is why you need a proper policy.
There are also uncertainties about whether the department is going to finance the ram exchange programme, which is assisting rural wool-grower farmers so that they can produce proper wool.
We also find it difficult to build a world-class agricultural sector capable of competing with the best in the world without first taking steps to root out inefficiencies in the department.
Hon Minister, it is very clear that there are inefficiencies in your department. We have sent many questions to you. In fact, Minister, you yourself fail to answer questions and you fail to meet with the stakeholders. You need to sort this out, Minister, because it affects you, or else you will end up being a Minister of promises. Thank you. [Applause.]
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: Chairperson, hon Minister, we all know that the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors are of the utmost importance and are the backbone of socioeconomic development in South Africa. However, these sectors are facing immense challenges. Their future will be shaped by the following critical factors, and I will mention just a few: climate change with the further implications of floods, droughts, changes in water supply, soil erosion and so forth; the growth in the population; skills shortages; the changes in consumer needs and preferences; and the shifts in the global economy and the markets.
The key priorities of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries are thus aligned to ensure food safety and security amidst the ever- changing environmental factors and increasing population.
Om hierdie prioriteite aan te spreek, het die Minister vandag aangedui dat daar, onder meer, R954 miljoen vir plant en dierproduksie, en 'n verdere R935 miljoen vir landbounavorsing begroot is. Ons durf nie toelaat dat Suid- Afrika, vanwe 'n gebrek aan fondse, met navorsing en tegnologie agter raak en verdere kundigheid verloor nie. Kom ek gee vir u een voorbeeld.
Tydens my besoek verlede week aan die Kongo het ek gesprekke gevoer met die President van die Kongo, asook met die Kongo se Minister van Landbou. Die gesprekke het onder meer gegaan oor die Suid-Afrikaanse boere in die Kongo. Albei Kongolese leiers het met groot lof gepraat oor wat die Suid- Afrikaanse boere in die Kongo regkry. Binne enkele maande het die boere 1 200 hektaar ontbos en met mielies beplant. Hulle het die waterpompe en pype herstel, met die gevolg dat die plaaslike bevolking nou ook kraanwater het. Waar die plaaslike bakker voorheen maar enkele brode 'n week verkoop het, bak hy nou 200 brode per dag as gevolg van die nuwe werksgeleenthede en salarisse vir die plaaslike gemeenskap. Die projek is ook deur die president as 'n presidensile projek verklaar.
Dit is met gemengde gevoelens dat 'n mens luister na die waardering wat die Kongolese politici vir die Suid-Afrikaanse boere se kundigheid en hardwerkendheid het. Dit is belangrik dat die Suid-Afrikaanse bevolking ook die waarde van hierdie boere moet begin besef. Eers dan sal almal saamwerk om die verlies aan sulke landboukundigheid te stop. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[In order to address these priorities, the Minister today indicated that, inter alia, R954 million had been budgeted for agricultural plant and animal production, and a further R935 million for research. We dare not allow South Africa, because of a lack of funds, to lag behind regarding research and technology and continue to lose expertise. Let me give you one example.
Last week during my visit to the Congo I had discussions with the President of the Congo as well as the Congolese Minister of Agriculture. The discussions related, amongst other things, to our South African farmers in the Congo. Both Congolese leaders had high praise for what the South African farmers are achieving in the Congo.
Within a few months the farmers had deforested 1 200 hectares and planted them with mealies. They repaired the water pumps and pipes, with the result that the local population now also has tap water. Whereas in the past the local baker sold only a few loaves of bread per week, he now bakes 200 loaves of bread per day, because of the new job opportunities and salaries for the local community. The project was also declared by the president as a presidential project.
It is with mixed feelings that one listens to the appreciation that the Congolese politicians have for the skills and industry of the South African farmers. It is important that the South African population should also start to realise the value of these farmers. Only then will everyone work together to stop the loss of such agricultural expertise.]
In the 2012-13 financial year, the department will be taking various steps to respond to the mounting aforementioned challenges in order to minimise their impact on the South African economy and its people.
As a follow-up to the commitments made at COP 17, the department will promote climate-smart agriculture. This will entail promoting the adoption of sustainable production systems, namely organic farming, agroecology and conservation agriculture.
An organic farming policy is to be presented to Cabinet and the portfolio committee before December 2012. With regard to conservation agriculture, pilot projects have been implemented in several provinces. This was accomplished in collaboration with the Agricultural Research Council and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
In order to respond comprehensively to the management of regulated plant pests and diseases, the department, in close collaboration with the South African fruit industries, has developed an early-warning surveillance programme in relation to quarantine fruit flies. Moreover, the technical forums, which include the industry, continue to identify, prioritise and manage quarantine pest risks such as the risk posed by the African invader fruit fly.
Having maintained the country's lucrative fruit export markets thus far, production and exports are still under threat. Accordingly, imports of host fruit from countries where this pest has already been established must be appropriately managed, emphasising the importance of our border control and risk-management responsibilities. To further strengthen contingency planning with regard to pests and diseases, an emergency plant pest response plan is being developed for implementation.
The global trade of food and food products, veterinary public health and food safety aspects in relation to animal products have received increasing attention. In particular, our organised industry role-players, consumers and producers have expressed serious concerns relating to the standard, quality and independence of meat inspection at our abattoirs - and I had a discussion about that with the veterinary board.
To respond to the challenges, the department is consulting widely with all stakeholders and role-players. A policy on Independent Meat Inspection will be concluded during the present financial year. The department will, in collaboration with provinces, also embark on strengthening the monitoring of domestic and foreign meat processing plants. All these efforts will hopefully restore domestic and international consumer confidence in meat and meat products.
The skewed distribution of veterinary professionals, especially in rural provinces, remains a key challenge for South African agriculture. Whilst the rural provinces require access to a range of veterinary services to support livestock production and livestock trade, the unavailability of accessible and affordable animal health care services remains a key constraint.
Chairperson, R100 million has been set aside for primary animal health care. The priority will be the major rehabilitation of existing infrastructure, as well as the building of new clinics, animal health centres and other animal handling facilities. Mobile veterinary vehicles will also be considered for remote areas. These efforts will support the creation of an enabling environment for the planned compulsory community service for newly qualified veterinarians. Quite a lot of progress has been made with the amendment of the Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act. The Cabinet approved the amending Bill on September 2011 and the Bill is now in the process of consideration by this House. The Bill aims to address the need for qualified vets in many of our rural areas.
With regard to the legislative mandate, the Fertilizers and Feeds Bill is in the process of being certified by the state law adviser. Thereafter, it will be tabled in Parliament.
Further consultation with regard to the Plant Breeders' Rights Amendment Bill is currently under way. This Bill aims to strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights relevant to new varieties of plants. Such protection contributes to economic growth as it has a positive impact on the competitiveness of South Africa's agricultural sector.
A proposed Plant Health Policy and Bill have already been prepared for public comment.
A great deal of progress has been made with the proposed National Animal Pounds Bill. This Bill will establish national norms and standards relating to pounds and the impounding of animals.
The Liquor Products Amendment Bill has been drafted after lengthy consultation with stakeholders and is currently being scrutinised by the state law adviser. We trust that this Bill will be tabled in the near future. Subsequent to a tender process, the University of Pretoria has been appointed as the service provider to assist the department with the review of all these pieces of legislation.
The livestock industry is an important element within the agricultural sector, both in terms of food security and sustainable livelihoods. Animal production contributes approximately 41% to the agricultural GDP of South Africa. This includes at least 500 000 people who are employed by the livestock industry.
Interestingly enough, 40% of South Africa's livestock is owned by communal and small-scale farmers in our rural villages. They are unable to utilise these assets for sustainable income generation; hence they are unable to ensure household food security. To resolve this dilemma we will need to introduce new technologies and scientific farming methods to them.
The Agricultural Research Council, ARC, in partnership with all the provincial departments of agriculture, will be rolling out the implementation of the Livestock Development Programme. In this initiative, the ARC will introduce and expand on the dissemination of technologies, such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer. The National Agricultural Marketing Council is also actively engaged in a programme to introduce farmers to the structure, operation and requirements of the formal red meat market. This is the National Red Meat Development Programme and works with emerging and communal farmers to increase the income earned from raising cattle through greater and more beneficial participation in formal red meat markets.
Onderstepoort Biological Products, OBP, is embarking on a new era of strategic alignment with government priorities. The quality of Onderstepoort Biological Products vaccines is a critical issue. The quality control system has been accredited and this must ensure that no substandard batch of vaccines leaves the plant. This can, however, not be the only way to ensure that the end user receives an effective vaccine. A system is now in place which ensures that the cold chain is maintained up to the point of sale.
Profits are being invested in new product development and replacing critical equipment to maintain manufacturing capacity over the short term.
The Perishable Products Export Control Board, PPECB, has maintained very tight financial controls over its business in 2012. This is commendable given the difficult economic climate experienced. The PPECB collaborated closely with the department in upskilling smallholder farmers across the country. They reached 1 500 smallholder farmers through 24 technology transfer days. Assisting smallholder farmers to become export-ready and to export their product successfully is an important future priority.
I am happy to announce that for the period of January to December, compared to the same period last year, the value of exports to Singapore has increased by 78% for products such as grapes, apples, pears and avocados; to Hong Kong it increased by more than 5%; and to Malaysia an increase of 20% was achieved. This is a clear indication that the National Agricultural Marketing Council model is working.
Voorsitter, ek wil graag alle rolspelers bedank - dit sluit die departement asook georganiseerde landbou in - vir hul volgehoue goedgesindheid en bereidwilligheid om saam te werk, want alleen gaan ons nie die probleme oplos nie.
Nieteenstaande sommige mediaberigte, stem ek en die Minister oor baie landbou sake saam. Natuurlik verskil ons ook oor sekere sake. Dit is normaal. Ek glo dat ons albei besef dat dit in belang van landbou is dat al hierdie sake verantwoordelik hanteer moet word. Daarvoor bedank ek haar en die departement. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Chairperson, I really want to thank all role-players - that includes the department as well as organised agriculture - for their continued goodwill and willingness to work together, because on our own we are not going to solve these problems.
Notwithstanding some media reports, the Minister and I do agree on many issues regarding agriculture. Of course, we also disagree on certain matters. This is normal. I believe that both of us realise that it is in the interest of agriculture that all these matters should be handled responsibly. For that I thank her and the department.]
This is going to be a productive year, hopefully in which the department, my office and our state-owned enterprises will work with the Minister and everybody to ensure success. I thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Comrade Chairperson, Comrade Minister, Deputy Minister Mulder, members of the portfolio committee, Director-General Comrade Langa Zitha and the staff from the department, distinguished guests, this debate takes place at a historic moment in time, the celebration of the centenary of the ANC, a movement proud of its 100 years of selfless struggle and confident in its future, testify to the correctness of its policies, strategy and tactics.
In response to the resolutions of the 52nd national conference of the ANC in 2007, government adopted in October 2010 a new economic framework called the New Growth Path as a policy framework for implementation.
The New Growth Path sets out core strategies to achieve job creation and broad measures to address unemployment, poverty and inequality. In so doing, it seeks to put in place a more equitable economy. One of the measures of this economic framework is to support employment creation through rural development. It is within this context that this Budget Vote debate takes place.
Any debate on the forestry sector must respond to the demands that the New Growth Path places upon the forestry sector. The policy seeks to ensure that across the sectors of our economy we develop labour-absorbing practices, a long-standing ANC perspective. Support mechanisms in the forestry sector must therefore respond to this, and this includes financing.
Of the five job drivers in the New Growth Path, Job Driver 5: Spatial Development speaks directly to the rural population who are engaged in the rural economy. It is here that the future plans and restructuring of the forestry sector must be addressed. Future plans and, indeed, Programme 5 of the Budget Vote must, in its objectives, measures and subprogrammes, be aligned with the macro and micro objectives of the future shape of our rural economy.
Research indicates that rural development programmes have the potential to improve the livelihoods of some 500 000 households, to which the forestry sector must respond.
Forestry plays an important role in rural development and should have an integrated approach in both its own programmes and that of rural development. The design and implementation of these must be devised in collaboration with rural communities. Whilst management of plantations and indigenous forests is very important, the environmental and economic orientation must be driven by a policy perspective that places the masses of our people in the rural areas at the centre. The role of this budget must therefore be looked at in this context.
The institutional framework of the forestry sector and its programmes has been informed by the 1997 National Forestry Action Plan. Generally speaking, most policy documents, after 15 years in existence, require assessment and evaluation.
The key question here is whether what the plan set out to do has been realised, If not, what were the challenges? Secondly, the National Forestry Action Plan was drawn up in the first phase of a macroeconomic strategy which, at that time, favoured the selling off of state forests to the private sector. This position no longer holds and, rather, we are informed by the needs of the New Growth Path, not least of all because the job drivers in the New Growth Path have relevance for employment levels and criteria that are applied in forestry as measured per hectare. The perspectives on spatial development in the rural areas and the development of the rural economy and forestry must converge in concept and practice.
Since the National Forestry Action Plan was instituted, there have been major institutional changes. The first phase of our transition paid close attention to redefining the categories of forests and under which department they should fall. It also dealt with the long-standing environment - commercial - community forest debate.
The more recent institutional changes have been driven by the economic rationale of the governing party, the ANC. These have been to institute better co-ordination of the agricultural and forestry sector, with planning being done within the ambit of a single department. It was back in 1994 that the ANC first put forward integrating the Department of Forestry with that of Agriculture.
In terms of the land and its use, clauses 3 and 4 respectively of the Freedom Charter speak to the country's wealth and land, and I quote: "The people shall share in the country's wealth and the land shall be shared among those who work it!"
This has direct implications for the forestry sector since the Freedom Charter in these two clauses speaks to distribution and production perspectives, which constitute the relevance of any attempt at changing land-relations patterns and systems of land ownership and control in our country.
There is a direct relationship between these perspectives and assertions of the Freedom Charter on wealth and land. This means that the future direction of the forestry sector must place the ANC-led government's economic structure at its centre and address the essence of the relationship between land and the forestry sector. The ANC is committed to ensuring security of land tenure, especially for women in rural areas, as a way of promoting agriculture and forestry.
With regard to dealing with challenges going forward, the Forest Sector Charter Council has a lifespan of 10 years. The ANC, in its preparations for the national policy conference in June this year, has been looking critically at an impact assessment of what has been achieved under broad- based black economic empowerment. The approach in the forestry sector therefore needs to reflect this. This was greeted with much fanfare in the latter part of the 1990s in the forestry sector with the sale of state forests.
The key question that we need to ask is: What is the impact assessment of this period and what have we achieved? Are these achievements in line with our policy objectives in the first place? Equally, unlike what happened in the late 1990s, there has to be a noticeable increase in job creation in this sector in terms of the New Growth Path.
The state of the nation address in February of this year committed government to addressing unemployment, poverty and inequality, and therefore the forestry sector is no exception. The fact that 12 000 green jobs were created through the forestry livelihoods strategy in the 2010-11 financial year bears testimony to there being progress.
Institutional restructuring must be constantly under review in any national democratic revolution. This relates in particular to the SA Forestry Company Ltd, Safcol, which is currently located under the Ministry of Public Enterprises.
Its history is well known and its historic influence on practices within the forestry sector shaped a particular approach, which favoured the commercialisation of forests. To its credit, Safcol played an important role in the implementation of the National Forestry Action Plan, but its location outside of the Ministry that deals with forestry needs to be examined.
In conclusion, I would like to thank the Minister and her team for all their hard work and the engaging debate. This is a sign of a healthy political relationship. The ANC supports Budget Vote 26. I thank you. [Applause.]
Agb Voorsitter, die agb Minister het netnou gepraat van voedselsekerheid. Sy s dat die regering en die ANC graag voedselsekerheid in Suid-Afrika wil h, maar ek hoor nie dat die agb Minister vir die boere sekerheid gee oor hul eiendomme en hul veiligheid nie.
Wat doen u as Minister om met u kollegas in die polisie te praat oor plaasmoorde, sodat ons boere veilig op hul plase kan wees en sodat hulle sekerheid daaroor kan h? Wat doen u as Minister om met die Minister van Landelike Ontwikkeling en Grondhervorming te praat, sodat ons boere sekerheid kan h oor hul eiendom? U wil voedselsekerheid h, maar u wil nie vir die boere ander sekerheid gee nie.
Agb Minister, u het 'n blaps gemaak met die polisiering van ons visserye en visbronne aan die kus. In Desember al was daar 'n hofsaak aan die kom. U het geweet dat die kontrak aan die einde van Maart gaan verstryk, maar u praat in die komitee en s dit is 'n probleem. Toe skrik u direkteur- generaal wakker want, volgens die record, het hy toe besluit dat hierdie saak dalk na die polisie toe moet gaan.
Ek wil vandag vir u s dat landbou 'n wetenskap is. Jy moet kennis h om dit te kan doen. U het 'n onbevoegde DG aangestel. U stel meer belang in politieke kaderontplooiing as in kundigheid om landbouwerk te kan doen! [Tussenwerpsels.] U gaan na die boere toe en u wil oor modes praat! Ek wil vandag vir u s dat toe u begin het, ek ges het dat u dalk die rain queen [ren koningin] van die boere kan wees. Ek het verlede jaar vir u ges dat u 'n Tina- promises [beloftes] is, want u maak net beloftes en beloftes. U het netnou gehoor dat beloftes gemaak was, maar dat die boere nog steeds wag vir hul voergeld. Daardie beloftes word nie gerealiseer nie.
As ek so luister na hoe u oor modes praat, en dat u meer daarin belangstel as in die probleme van die boere, wil ek vir u s dat ek verkeerd was. U is eintlik 'n drama queen! [drama koningin] Dit is waarmee u besig is, want u veroorsaak net drama vir die boere. [Tussenwerpsels.] U maak beloftes, maar u kom dit nie na nie. U departement is besig om in duie te stort en die probleem is dat u nie kritiek kan hanteer nie.
Die agb Salamuddi Abram van die ANC het verlede jaar uit 'n boer se hart gepraat. Hy het kritiek uitgespreek. Hoekom kan hy nie aan hierdie debat deelneem nie, want ek sien nie sy naam nie? U moet leer om kritiek te hanteer en om na die boere te luister. Gee vir hulle sekerheid in terme van hul eiendomme sowel as in terme van hul veiligheid. Ek dank u. [Applous.] [Tussenwerpsels.] (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Mr P J GROENEWALD: Hon Chairperson, the hon Minister has just spoken about food security. She says that the government and the ANC would really like to have food security in South Africa, but I am not hearing the hon Minister giving the farmers any sense of security about their property and their safety.
What are you, as Minister, doing to speak to your colleagues in the police about farm murders, so that our farmers can be safe on their farms and so that they can have certainty about it? What are you, as Minister, doing to have discussions with the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, so that our farmers can feel secure about their property? You want to have food security, but you don't want to give the farmers sense of security.
Hon Minister, you have made a mistake with the policing of our fisheries and fish resources on the coast. A court case was already imminent in December; you knew that the contract would lapse at the end of March, but in the committee you were speaking about it as a problem. At that point your director-general got a wake-up call - according to the records he only decided then that this case might be referred to the police.
Today I want to say to you that agriculture is a science. You must have knowledge about it to be able to do it. You have appointed an incompetent DG. You are more interested in political cadre deployment than competence to do agricultural work! [Interjections.]
You visit the farmers and you want to talk about fashion! I want to say to you today that when you started, I said that you may be the rain queen of the farmers. Last year I told you that you were "Tina promises" because all you do is make promises and promises. You have just heard that promises were made, but that the farmers are still waiting for their fodder money. These promises are not being realised.
When I listen to the way in which you talk about fashion, and that you are more interested in it than solving the farmer's problems, then I want to say to you that I was wrong. You are actually a drama queen! This is what you are busy with, because you only cause drama for the farmers. [Interjections.] You make promises, but you are not honouring them. Your department is collapsing and the problem is that you cannot handle criticism.
Last year the hon Salamuddi Abram of the ANC spoke from the heart of a farmer. He voiced criticism. Why isn't he taking part in this debate - I don't see his name? You must learn to handle criticism and to listen to the farmers. Give them security in terms of their property and in terms of their safety. I thank you. [Applause.] [Interjections.]]
Hon Chairperson, on a point of order: Is it correct for the people in the gallery to participate in the debate that we are having?
I haven't seen them do so. They are not supposed to be part of the debate.
Chair, countries in both the East and the West, including our partners in Brics, that is the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa group, regard their commercial food producers as a precious national asset in ensuring food security. They recognise that there are not many people who want to farm. Commercial food production is a calling that requires special skills and a work ethic that has to be learned. Food security is essential, both economically and politically, and social cohesion has to be a by-product, not the main goal.
Consequently, governments seek to help producers increase productivity and production. It is very concerning that South Africa, by contrast with most other governments, neglects and is even hostile to this industry, giving it virtually no budgetary, research or trade policy support.
This is perhaps most noticeable with regard to the Agricultural Research Council, the ARC. Some of the finest and largest volumes of agricultural research in the southern hemisphere, if not in most of the world, came from this and other South African institutes to help keep our commercial food producers at the forefront of world food productivity.
The ACDP is alarmed that stakeholders claim that if the council were to be scrapped, it would scarcely be noticed, as it has deteriorated so severely. Let's hope the increase is not too little too late.
The number of commercial food producers in South Africa has dropped from about 120 000 in 1994 to about 40 000. Today, on balance, we have become a net importer of food in recent years, putting our food security in jeopardy. The reduction in budgetary allocations to maintain existing infrastructure, let alone improve it, has a negative effect on production. It also accelerates the departure of food producers enticed to other African countries and Australia, where their skills are welcomed.
By not supporting this industry, government is disadvantaging every consumer in South Africa. If this continues, it will result in even more rapidly increasing food prices. The producers who remain are reluctant to invest because of long delays in finalising land acquisitions. This adversely affects crop production.
It has been brought to the attention of the ACDP that inland fisheries have been neglected in favour of marine fisheries. More funding will be necessary to establish more and better capacity, structures and projects for recreational, subsistence and commercial inland fisheries. In order to establish inland fisheries as an important job-creating and food-resourcing sector, encouragement and funding are essential. Also, improved and stronger partnerships between the department, the Department of Water Affairs and the provincial conservation agencies will go a long way in achieving this objective.
Lastly, the veterinary establishment in the agricultural sector is cause for concern as the corruption of a few is undermining the integrity of this establishment, whose integrity is held in high regard in the food production industry. The prescribing and/or selling of potentially lethal game capture drugs for rhino poaching by certain rogue veterinarians must be stopped. The ACDP strongly supports calls for government to co-fund the urgent establishment of an inspectorate. Despite reservations, we will support this Vote. [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Chairperson of the extended public committee, Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson, all protocol has been observed. In debating any Budget Vote, we are in essence looking at the political and economic contexts in which a Budget Vote is delivered. This is a necessary consideration as it provides us, as public representatives, with an understanding of how the ANC-led government is reversing past imbalances and creating a better life for all, using the budget as an instrument for change.
This Vote of funds must be debated in the context of being a political and financial instrument that the ANC-led government uses to ensure that its policy programmes are operationalised through the allocation of financial resources - appropriation - to the programmes and projects for which the department is responsible.
This Vote is a reflection of an outcomes-centred public spending approach. Most importantly for those who have an oversight responsibility, this Vote of funds must be used as a tool to evaluate the financing of key policy objectives. The challenge is to evaluate whether the Vote matches up to the strategic plan of the department, the macroeconomic perspectives of government, and the requirements of ANC policies, and gives substance to the government's five-year plan.
The Vote is a critical tool to track the 100-year-old ANC. The Vote is a critical tool to track priorities that the department set itself, in terms of delivery designed to meet national, provincial and local policy responsibilities, as well as constitutional responsibilities.
In order to do this, the point of departure must be whether this Vote is consistent with government policy. Here, I shall specifically refer to the programme in this Vote that deals with fisheries.
The ANC believes that the natural resources of South Africa, including marine resources, belong to all the people of the country and should be managed and developed to the benefit of the country as a whole. [Applause.] South Africa's rich marine resources make a major contribution to the alleviation of poverty in coastal communities. Over the years the ANC sought to improve the quality of life in coastal communities by restoring rights of access to marine resources, by increasing employment opportunities and by improving health conditions in the industry, particularly with regard to income, health and safety and job security.
With the implementation of policy come challenges. These challenges have been extreme in fishing communities as the reconstruction of the marine and fisheries sector has taken root. Years of established bad practices have come up against the need for the ANC-led government to rebuild the industry and the institutions managing marine resources so as to achieve its policy objectives. Ownership of marine resources must be vested in the state as the custodian of the people, and the rights to utilise the resource must be equitably allocated. [Applause.]
The policy intention is clear. The ANC-led government wishes to encourage the sustainable use of marine resources to ensure optimal long-term social and economic benefits. The fishing sector in particular has to be developed as an integral component of a general development strategy for coastal areas. For this to be achieved, transparent and accountable administration of marine resources has to take place. This has been the greatest challenge, hon Minister.
The implementation of ANC-led government policy has exposed just how complex this sector is, structured by both centuries and decades of particular practices, most of which had no policy basis in a new democratic order, but were, rather, steeped in both culture and tradition, which are important for the ANC. But, on the other hand, instances of capital accumulation have resulted in some of the worst cases of corrupt practices, which ANC policy has sought to eradicate, and which, had we left them alone, would have led to the collapse of the sector - a plundering of resources in the fishing industry and the survival of the most corrupt.
A discussion on the redistribution of fishing rights was always going to be and has proven to be a double-edged sword. In terms of the principle of working together with the people, we not only do more but we solve challenges together and build capacity together to ensure both growth and development.
In principle, access rights should be allocated as closely as possible to those actually doing the fishing. Licensing systems historically have been highly problematic in that they have granted many commercial licences to a privileged few. ANC policy seeks to protect and advance the interests of those who are dependent on fishing for a livelihood - protecting their interests. [Applause.]
Promoting stability in the sector means dealing effectively with access rights, quotas on species, the monitoring of complications in respect of performance, and the allocation of longer-term quotas. Most importantly, the rights of coastal communities, small-scale and artisanal fishers must be protected. Restructuring and transformation must be accompanied by capacity-building and support for previously disadvantaged fishers and fishing communities. I'm talking of the poorest of the poor.
Restructuring the sector is a precondition for things to happen. The medium- term to long-term objective is to ensure both sustainable and economically thriving communities, whilst, at the same time, ensuring optimal utilisation of marine resources. Central to this is the realignment of administrative and operational activities of the Marine Living Resources Fund, MLRF.
The Marine Living Resources Fund finances the operations of the Marine and Coastal Management Programme, which is responsible for managing the development and sustainable use of South Africa's marine and coastal resources, as well as protecting the integrity and quality of its marine and coastal ecosystems. Whilst falling within the ambit of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, it receives its own budget from the National Treasury and this needs to be urgently reviewed.
Further restructuring needs to be informed by a review of the Marine Coastal Management Act. This should, equally, address the incorporation directly of marine coastal management into a division of the department, as opposed to the detached entity it currently is, such as the old order of sea fisheries.
Critically, the Marine Living Resources Act has not adequately addressed diversity in small-scale fisheries, and in terms of governing-party policy, the Act has not taken into account the contribution to poverty eradication and food security by the small-scale fishing sector. For example - and this is very important to this Vote - the department should ensure that the much- acclaimed small-scale fishing policy must have measurable targets as we move towards its adoption.
Amongst other things, these must include, but not be limited to, the following: 90% of all near-shore marine resources must be within 25 nautical miles of our coastlines' high-water mark; 25,1% of the full remainder of all South Africa's 22 commercial fishing sector resources, including 50,1% of the use of all harbour-related leases and tourism facilities, must be exclusively reserved for the direct benefit of poor coastal community co-operatives and credible broad-based black economic empowerment structures.
Under the ANC's accelerated multitrillion infrastructure investment strategy, we should establish a marine projects financing facility, such as the Land Bank - or Fish Bank - in Agriculture, to enable our coastal community fishing co-operatives and broad-based black economic empowerment structures to acquire fishing infrastructure such as vessels and processing facilities in order to competently execute their fishing quotas.
In addition, the infrastructure investment strategy should establish co- operative marine produce marketing structures that will secure maximum financial advantage from the local and foreign market value chain for all South African marine produce, in particular marine produce from community co-operative structures within coastal fishing communities.
The Marine Living Resources Act, MLRA, and permit conditions must be reviewed to ensure the protection of all men and women who work in the fishing industry on land and sea. These workers must enjoy the same rights as all other workers under the Labour Relations Act and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
The publication in the Government Gazette of the small-scale fisheries policy in September 2010, after a period of consultation, opened up debate on both what still needed to be transformed and what needed to be restructured. The concerns at that stage were that whilst the policy sought to address critical long-standing grievances, operationalising these draft policies was going to be the main challenge. In addition, looking at the small-scale fisheries sector without addressing the impacts and contradictions this has for the small-scale fishing sector would result in a deepening of these contradictions. Other concerns raised with the 2010 draft list were: timelines of the draft policy document; the review process of quotas; long-term fishing rights; multispecies; zonal fishing; financing structures; and, finally, the setting up of a co-operative for the fishing sector.
The National Economic Development and Labour Council, Nedlac, process that has been undertaken over the past two years has had an influence on the February 2012 redrafted policy on the small-scale fisheries sector. We would encourage the department to ensure that there is widespread public participation on the contents of the 2012 draft.
Finally, we also welcome the Minister's announcement of considering a committee or commission of inquiry to investigate the evil of fronting. [Applause.] We encourage the Minister to go even further and ensure that our poor fisherfolk, who lost their quotas and were treated fraudulently, are financially compensated by the state and that the culprits are brought to book. [Applause.]
In conclusion, fish farming and/or aquaculture need to be extended to add to the limited marine and inland resources in order to actively promote job creation and food security for the poorest of the poor. Chairperson, the ANC supports Budget Vote 26: Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. I thank you. [Applause.]
Chairperson, I was appointed to this portfolio committee at the beginning of the year. I have a keen interest in fishing and practically grew up at the sea. My uncle, Oom Bennet Uys, was also a fisherman from a young age. He was a humble, hardworking, poor fisherman. I sat for many hours listening to his fishermen stories of legends that sailed the sea. I was told that in those days there was an abundance of fish, but you still had to work hard every good seafaring day to put food on the table.
So, why do I tell you this story? The simple truth is that there are a lot of Oom Bennets out there whose livelihoods are being threatened by a department whose leaders do not know what they are doing.
Madam Minister, your leadership of this department has a significant impact on the future of poor fishing communities. You cannot buy your credibility back by handing out T-shirts emblazoned with Fisheries department logos. Neither can you win back their loyalty by asserting that you will, in Robin Hood-like glory, steal quotas from the big five fishing companies and give them to the communities.
We are here today to debate the Budget Vote of the Fisheries department, and I must tell you that I am very concerned about the state of your department.
This week we interrogated the strategic plans of the Marine Living Resources Fund and the Marine and Coastal Management Branch. Lacking entirely in both these documents was any reference to the National Development Plan - the same plan that the hon chairperson was talking about. When I read the Small-Scale Fishing Policy, I noted the same omission and that the policy even contradicts the National Development Plan in places.
All departments' strategic plans and policies should take their cue from the National Development Plan, given its emphasis on poverty alleviation and virtuous economic growth. The National Development Plan identifies Fisheries as a strategic economic sector with growth potential, especially in areas of small enterprise development.
The document also recognises that large-scale industrial fisheries employ more than 27 000 people and that these sectors offer employment conditions that are better than most other economic sectors. This truth must be quite hard for you to swallow, Minister, given your obsession with transforming the fishing industry.
Apparently, the 66% black ownership levels already attained and achieved are not black enough for you, even though the National Development Plan states that the sector is black-empowered. [Interjections.] Importantly, the National Development Plan emphasises that quotas cannot be allocated in a way that threatens compliance and sustainability. The Small-Scale Fishing Policy, on the other hand, is ideologically moribund and devoid of any understanding of the economics of the industry. It is therefore incapable of delivering the fruits of poverty alleviation that it promised. As the National Development Plan rightly points out, small-scale fishing should be encouraged, but it is not the answer to alleviating unemployment. The policy emphasis should be on the creation of small enterprises and protecting fishing stocks so that responsible firms can profit sustainably and thereby employ sustainably.
Finally, the National Development Plan states that unrealistic expectations have been created by promising communities fishing rights. Short-term political expedience will backfire in the long run, hon Phaliso.
How is it possible that the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Minister are unaware of the National Development Plan and its analysis? If government departments such as Fisheries have already elected to ignore the National Development Plan, we can rest assured that this rather grand vision for 2030 will never be worth more than the paper it is written on. [Interjections.]
But the problem with this year's Budget Vote reaches beyond ignorance of the National Development Plan and enters even more sinister waters. It states as fact that the Marine Living Resources Fund receives, as a supplement to revenue, the proceeds of the sale of confiscated fish and fish product, including abalone. This brings me to the very serious matter of abalone poaching and this department's inability to stop this phenomenon.
The question has been raised as to whether there is a conflict of interest at play. It was admitted by the director-general and the Minister at a portfolio committee meeting that at some stage it would have to be stopped, but for now it will be allowed to continue as they don't have anything in place to substitute the foregone revenue.
I ask you, Minister, with tears in my eyes: How is it possible to budget for an income that you will derive from an illegal activity when you are the entity responsible for policing that same activity? You have now created this perverse incentive to leave the poacher in the water, instead of preventing the extraction of this near-extinct species. [Interjections.] Rather, you wait until enough has been poached to extract the targeted income from the sale of confiscated abalone. The problem of conflicting interests appears to be a trend in your department, Madam Minister.
Minister, you recently announced the institution of an independent committee of inquiry at a press conference on 21 March this year, which was a public holiday. You undertook to investigate internally the alleged corruption and irregularity in awarding the tender for the maintenance, manning and operation of the department's marine patrol and research fleets. The contract was prematurely awarded to the politically connected Sekunjalo Consortium - whose subsidiary, Premier Fishing, owns extensive fishing quotas - and then withdrawn under pressure from the DA and others. This committee should have started their work by early April of this year, but we have yet to see anything concrete happening. [Interjections.]
Minister, you seem to believe that your intention to institute an inquiry exonerates you and your department from answering questions. Please let me assure you that this is not how things work in a democracy, nor will we allow them to operate in such a manner. Finally, I received a reply from the Minister last week, which indicates that the findings of a 2008 report on the 12 small-scale fishing harbours have yet to be implemented. The report was commissioned at a whopping cost to the taxpayer of R4,8 million. It found evidence of gross mismanagement in every respect, and the best the department can tell me is that it has established an interdepartmental task team that will establish timeframes to implement the recommendations. [Interjections.] Oh!
I see that Mr Abram is not speaking today. He is very outspoken in the committee. [Interjections.] May I take the liberty of quoting him? If he was speaking, he would say that this dysfunctional department with all the actors - alluding to all the acting positions - is a disgrace to this government and to the poor fishing communities out there. [Interjections.] The sustainable use of our fishing resources has the potential to contribute to economic growth and job creation ...
Hon members! Hon members! Sorry, Mr van Dalen ... Hon members!
It can play its part in our achieving 8% in GDP growth, but only if there is sound management and political will. [Interjections.] Sadly, the fisheries branch lurches from one blunder to the next. [Interjections.]
Agb Voorsitter, op 'n punt van orde: U moet u knoppie indruk; dan sal die mense kan hoor as u vir orde vra. Niemand kan u hoor as u s dat daar orde moet wees nie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[Mr P J GROENEWALD: Hon Chairperson, on a point of order: You need to press the button, then people will be able to hear you when you call for order. Nobody can hear you when you request that there should be order.]
Thank you. The Minister has been in this position for three years now. The department is in a worse position today than it was three years ago. Under these circumstances, Minister, you should do the right and honourable thing and resign. [Applause.] [Interjections.]
Hon members, please! This is too much, really. Thank you, hon member. [Interjections.] People can't hear. You can't even hear yourselves, I'm sure.
Chairperson of the Extended Public Committee, hon Minister Joemat-Pettersson, Deputy Minister Mulder, Director-General Langa Zitha, hon members of the portfolio committee and distinguished guests in the gallery, of all the programmes contained in the 2012 Budget Vote of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, food security and agrarian reform attempt to address one of the fundamental pillars of the national democratic revolution.
Within agrarian reform, the principle of food security is embedded. The R1,4 billion that has been appropriated for this programme must be seen within the context of what the ANC-led government has to achieve. [Interjections.]
The ANC defines its vision for South Africa as that of a national democratic society, a society in which the values of human freedom, socioeconomic rights and progress prevail. The food security system must in itself ensure that the agro-food complex advances the basic objectives of the national democratic society. In moving towards a food-secure society, the right to food, as enshrined in the Freedom Charter and South Africa's Constitution, makes the debate on this Vote one of great political importance. Engulfed within the paradigm of population growth, global economic instability and climate change, food security presents a formidable challenge for the national government and this Vote.
The historic approach to food security in South Africa has tended to lean towards food production, to the exclusion of a holistic approach in discussing food security. The reality that South Africa still has an unresolved land and agrarian question poses numerous challenges for the ANC in pursuing the vision of a national democratic society. The food security question remains amongst the most important policies in the consolidation of a national democratic state.
The two poles reflected in the ongoing debate around food security reflect those who are in the agri-processing business, who reflect the advanced accumulation path within the sector in general, and those who reside in the retail food industry.
While South Africa may be food secure as a country, large numbers of households within the country remain food insecure. Food security is not about total food output; rather it must be about an individual's food security. Therefore, greater emphasis on both physical and economic access to food is necessary. An understanding of food insecurity shows that access to adequate food at a household level depends increasingly on how food markets and distribution systems function.
The ANC has adopted the principle of constructing a developmental state, which means that we have a common understanding of the application of food policies. Therefore, we must address food security within the broad framework of a developmental state.
The developmental state must ensure that the agro-food market and macroeconomic considerations address food security in the country. This means ensuring that our policy and legal instruments address the issue of the negative effects that high food prices have on the food security of the population, particularly the poor.
The Integrated Food Security Strategy was adopted in 2002 by the government. It focuses primarily on the food supply problems of volume and stability of food supplies. The development of agriculture within the context of food security is often viewed solely as a technical advancement of large-scale commercial farming. This is the view that agriculture can only contribute to the economy through commercial production. This same argument states that smallholder and subsistence farming have little to offer in terms of production and income from farming.
The 2007 52nd ANC national conference resolved that, one, the current structure of commercial agriculture is the outcome of centuries of dispossession, labour coercion and state subsidies for the chosen few. Since 1994, commercial agriculture has continued to develop in a manner that is characterised by a growing concentration of ownership and farm size, underutilisation of vast tracts of land, capital intensity, job shedding and the casualisation of labour.
The ANC also resolved that, two, while deregulation, liberalisation and the resulting competitive pressures on the sector have eliminated many of the privileges of large-scale farming, various aspects of policy and legislation still reinforce the legacy of the past. The third resolution was that concentrated ownership, price collusion and the high degree of vertical integration in farming, agro-processing and the retail sector limit the space for new entrants, particularly for smallholder farmers. Monopolistic practices also reinforce the recent rises in food prices, which undermine economic growth and the fight against hunger and poverty.
In addressing food security, certain guiding principles must apply. Firstly, the developmental state must create an environment in which communities are able to produce food and have control over its production, and are also empowered economically to be agents of their own development. Secondly, the emerging agricultural sector requires a level of market protection and should not be subjected to competition regulations for its development. Thirdly, sustained economic growth and sustainable development are interlinked. And, fourthly, poverty is one of the most formidable enemies of choice. Therefore, one of the important principles of food security is to contribute to the eradication of poverty and all forms of social and economic discrimination, through the programmes that are aimed at eradicating poverty.
In examining the Budget Vote on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, we must appreciate that this Budget Vote must be used as a tool of evaluating government programmes that are operationalised through the allocation of the budget. This reflects an outcomes-centred public spending approach. The challenge is to evaluate whether or not the macroeconomic perspectives of this Budget Vote meet the requirements of the ANC-led government's policies and give substance to the ANC-led government's five-year plan.
In order to do this we have to ask key questions of this Budget Vote. Firstly, does the Budget Vote reflect the funding of policy priorities of the ANC-led government? Can this be traced to government programmes and projects in the Vote? Secondly, can we trace the increase of funding of policy priorities from the 2011 Budget Vote to this Budget Vote? Thirdly, does the Vote address issues of adequacy, given the mandate of the department? Fourthly, does the Vote reinforce issues of equity, and does it deal with unemployment and poverty and can these be traced in the Vote? Fifthly, are the directives of the Medium-Term Budget Vote Statement of 2011 met in this Budget Vote?
In assessing the Budget Vote, it is clear, as reflected in the programmes of this Vote, that this Vote does reflect the funding of policy priorities. These priorities are largely, but not exclusively, found in the New Growth Path policy document and can be traced in the line items of the Vote of funds.
The central question remains whether the Budget Vote is adequate given the huge mandate that this department has been given within finite resources.
The thrust of this Budget Vote speaks to dealing with matters of unemployment and poverty eradication. In this regard, the question of whether the Vote addresses matters of ensuring greater equity is to be found. Certainly, the linkages between the October 2011 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement and this Budget Vote can be drawn. In conclusion, the ANC supports Vote 26: Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. I thank you. [Applause.]
The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: Thank you, Chairperson, and all the members for their contributions. Thank you very much, Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, for attending this Budget Vote debate.
I would like to conclude by saying that our dedicated Strategic Integrated Project for agriculture, agro-logistics and rural infrastructure is part of the Presidential Infrastructure Co-ordinating Commission, which includes plans for fresh produce marketing depots for smallholder farmers; production infrastructure for crops and animals; the revitalisation of various irrigation schemes, including the Vaalharts-Taung irrigation scheme; the refurbishment and upgrading of agricultural colleges; and various projects such as grain storage facilities and rehabilitated irrigation schemes in the former homelands, as well as fencing, including border fences and animal quarantine facilities at our borders.
These infrastructure projects will be implemented in a phased-in approach. [Interjections.] In addition, the rail freight network will be made more easily and cheaply available for the transport of bulk agriculture, forestry and fisheries commodities.
Hon Chairperson, in keeping with our theme of "Working together for food security", we hosted our first delivery forum during March this year. The delivery forum is an ideal platform to cement stakeholder relationships in pursuit of our developmental objectives. It will emphasise strong co- ordination and communication to ensure that things get done. Improving the flow of information and ideas between government and the private sector will enhance our ability to identify new and better opportunities for investment.
This industry that we manage has more than 360 organisations in agriculture alone, and another 360 organisations in fisheries. In agriculture, more than half of these 360 organisations are lily-white. The other half of them are black. Now if I had to meet a white red-meat society and Nerpo, the National Emergent Red Meat Producers Organisation, a black red-meat society, I'd be spending five years just meeting all these organisations that have developed. [Interjections.]
Hon members, tell me earnestly: How do I meet each and every commodity group under the sun when there is only 365 days in a year? Hon Groenewald, you have a Deputy Minister, who is the leader of your party. I have already asked the Deputy Minister whether his people speak, because it is obvious that you don't speak to the Deputy Minister. This is because you behave as if your party is not part of this Ministry. If you have advice on agriculture, forestry and fisheries, go to the Deputy Minister and give him that advice. That advice will reach me very ... [Inaudible.]
Agb Voorsitter, op 'n punt van duidelikheid ... [Hon Chairperson, on a point of clarity ... [Interjections.]
Hon Chair, on a point of clarity: I just want to make quite sure that this is a point of clarity. Do I understand the hon Minister correctly ... [Interjections.]
Order, hon members! Hon Groenewald, please sit down! You will get your clarity later.
The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: What I am actually saying is that through your interpretation of what we are doing, you are saying that your own party is failing in government. [Interjections.] So, you are saying that your own leader, the leader of your party, is failing in government because the leader of your party is part of this government. The Deputy Minister is part of this government. In keeping with ... [Interjections.]
He is not part of the government. You are misleading yourself. [Interjections.]
Hon member, will you please stop it! Please!
I will stop. I'm just telling you I will stop. Thank you, Chair. [Interjections.]
The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: Chairperson, I wish to thank the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries sectors in general and each individual component in particular, for their selfless support in working towards creating a better environment for these industries. There are people who are working with us. There are people working with us in the industry. The Transvaalse Landbou-Unie, TAU, has even come forward to assist us with the training of extension officers. It seems as if you don't know what is happening in your own constituency, hon member Groenewald, because I thought TAU was also part of your constituency. Now, really! I really don't know where you belong, hon member. [Laughter.]
Our country has to play its rightful role in creating prosperity, jobs and equality for all. Statistics SA, in its Quarterly Labour Force Survey, has clearly articulated that agriculture has contributed 26 000 jobs to employment in agriculture. The hon members do not have the relevant information, and we are really prepared to provide them with it. This is because if you are saying that nothing is working in this department, hon Steyn, then go and have a look at Statistics SA's Quarterly Labour Force Survey - the third quarter and the fourth quarter - and you will see that there is an increase in jobs. These are not our statistics. These are not agriculture's statistics that have been cooked up. These statistics come from Statistics SA. [Interjections.] We will give you the website. In case you do not know: Statistics SA is an independent association in our country. [Interjections.]
Hon member, your role is to look deep into your work and ask yourself whether you have created a single job in this country. I am positive that you haven't created a single job. [Interjections.] Now in this gallery, hon members, there are people who have assisted in that job creation. We have turned the tide in agriculture and things are working. We have created jobs and we have created markets.
Hon member Van Dalen, it is alleged that you shot at two children. Needless to say, the race of these children is black. What is worth mentioning is that after you allegedly shot at those children, you laughed at them. [Interjections.] This case was never brought to court. [Interjections.]
Hon members, please! Hon members! [Interjections.] Hon members! [Interjections.] Hon Minister, will you please sit down for a moment.
Is that a point of order, hon member?
It is a point of order, Madam Chair. This is a matter of integrity and the Minister is impugning on the integrity of an hon member. She should stick to the subject of the debate, Chairperson. [Interjections.]
It is a point of order. You may not impugn the integrity of another Member of Parliament in this House, Chairperson. [Interjections.]
The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: Hon member Van Dalen, if you say that we are beyond ignorance, is that not questioning my integrity and my intelligence? The National Development Plan is a draft plan; it is not a policy of government. How informed are you?
Hon Minister, please! Hon Minister! Hon Minister, I understand that you said that the hon member shot two people.
The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: I said that it is alleged.
Alleged? [Interjections.] Not shot; but "alleged"? [Interjections.] I'll come back to you, hon member, to make a ruling. Continue, hon Minister.
The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: The hon member always has a hand in stories, gossip, allegations and information peddling. The hon member didn't allegedly say; he actually said that I had appointed my sister in this department.
Now, in the gallery there are two people who are the parents of Rowena Joemat. My parents died more than 10 years ago. Now, unless those people who are sitting in the gallery are ghosts, there is no way in which Rowena Joemat could be my sister, and there is thus no way in which I could have appointed my sister to the department. [Applause.]
The hon member takes part in trading information and information peddling, and this is not alleged. You just need to look on the DA's website. Google the DA member's name and you will see the alleged incident of his shooting at children. Now, I thank the hon member for always being a WikiLeaks. I love the way you peddle and trade information, because you spend your time looking at gossip.
But, back to reality, I would like to thank those colleagues and friends who have worked and contributed towards a better country, a better South Africa and a better Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries department.
The portfolio committee members of the ANC have assisted us. We have learnt and taken advice from the chairperson. Now, I would like to say to the chairperson: Please continue doing that, because through you, agriculture is growing jobs and we are expanding markets. We have turned the tide. [Applause.]
In conclusion, Chairperson, today we present you with a successful budget. [Time expired.]