Hon Deputy Speaker, the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries sector's budget is totally insufficient in relation to the importance of sustained food security at affordable prices. A budget of only R4,7 billion from a total budget of R889 billion, or only 0,53%, is far too little. It leaves many institutions, such as the Agricultural Research Council, ARC, Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute and others far short of their needs to perform optimally. In terms of the department's strategic objectives, implementation and delivery is seriously lacking. This is evident in the department's failing and handling of the outbreaks of contagious diseases like Rift Valley Fever, foot-and-mouth disease and avian flu, costing producers millions of rands and causing the closure of our borders for the export of animals and animal products.
Die Minister se uitspraak dat kommersile boere nie hulp na die verwoestende vloede vroeg vanjaar gaan ontvang nie, is onverantwoordelik en skokkend. Dit, nadat miljoene rande se hulp aangekondig is. Ek verwys na President Zuma, met R800 miljoen, en Minister Pravin Ghordan, met R600 miljoen. Uself het R200 miljoen aangekondig. Volgens u sou die eerste hulp reeds in April uitbetaal gewees het, en sou 10 000 tydelike werksgeleenthede geskep geword het deur die herstel van infrastruktuur. Minister, daar het niks van gekom nie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[The Minister's announcement that commercial farmers will not be receiving any aid after the devastating floods earlier this year is irresponsible and shocking. This, after aid to the value of millions of rands was mentioned. I refer here to President Zuma, with R800 million, and Minister Pravin Ghordan, with R600 million. You yourself mentioned R200 million. According to you the first payment in aid would have been in April and 10 000 temporary job opportunities would have been created through the reconstruction of infrastructure. Minister, nothing came of this.]
There is an obvious lack of management and control of the department's activities. The lack of understanding by the Minister and her Deputy's inability to bring about positive change to the challenges facing the industry will cost this country dearly. It will result in severe food shortages, a drastic increase in food prices and serious job losses.
Exorbitant, wasteful expenditure adds to the problems in the department. We have now been waiting for two years for the forensic reports of Marine and Coastal Management and the Land Bank. We have questioned the wasteful expenditure on certain projects. We, the DA, therefore oppose this Budget Vote. [Time expired.]