NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 1072
DATE OF PUBLICATION: MONDAY 25 MARCH 2011 [IQP No 9-2011] SECOND SESSION,
FOURTH PARLIAMENT
Question 1072 for written reply, National Assembly: Ms D. Carter (COPE) to
ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:
Whether her department has any measures in place to ensure the proper
regulation of contracts to facilitate the ideal diversification of crops
prior to contract farming; if not, why not; if so, (a) what measures and
(b) what are the further relevant details? NW1194E
REPLY:
1) Yes.
Provincial Departments of Agriculture are involved in the process of
securing contracts between farmers and retailers or any other clients
needing the production of a particular crop. In such cases, there are
measures in place that allow for government intervention should it happen
that stipulations in the contract are not adhered to by either party. In
instances where government was not involved, then the responsibility lies
with the farmers to seek justice in their own capacities. Thus far, the
regulation of contracts has not necessarily been targeted at facilitating
the ideal diversification of crops, but primarily to secure markets for
farmers in an effort to ensure income generation, growth and sustainability
of their farming enterprises.
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