This programme's purpose is to manage the risks associated with animal diseases, plant pests, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and registration of products used in agriculture; to promote food safety and to create an enabling environment for increased and sustainable agricultural production. The programme's budget in 2012/13 increased by 11.9 per cent in nominal terms and 5.7 per cent in real terms. The budgetary increase is attributed to the 16.9 per cent increase (in real terms) in the allocation to the Agricultural Research Council, which increased from R755.5 million in 2011/12 to R935.5 million in 2012/13. The budgetary allocations to the Animal Production and Health, and the Plant Production and Health sub- programmes decreased by 9 per cent and 5.7 per cent (in real terms), respectively, in the 2012/13.