Voorsitter, u is absoluut korrek met u verwysing na die kongres van die mense! [Chairperson, you were absolutely correct when you referred to the congress of the people!]
Chairperson, hon Minister, hon colleagues, my office sent an official invitation to you, Minister, to come and engage with the people of the West Coast in Saldanha. I hope you are going to accept it.
In money terms, agriculture's share of the economy has declined drastically since 1930. Formerly, it was a highly regulated sector. In the past, farmers received subsidies and financial assistance. Since the 1980s, farming has been deregulated. The agricultural sector is now expected to respond to free-market conditions.
Boere is nou op hulle eie. Die koste van boerdery-insette is aanhoudend besig om te styg. Die vraag van voedselversekering moet nou vir ons almal 'n saak van ernstige kommer raak. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.) [Farmers are now left to their own devices. The costs of farming inputs are continually on the rise. The question of food security should become a very serious concern for all of us.]
Minister, what is the state of our agriculture today? Farmers are failing because of climate change and cheaper imports. Europe has the Green Box subsidy system. All but 10% of the farmers benefiting from restitution have failed.
In the past, farmers provided job opportunities for a vast number of South Africans. Today, this is not the case. During the 10-year period from 1988 to 1998 the commercial farming sector, for example, shed a staggering 140 000 regular jobs, a decline of 20%.
Die regering ondersteun nie genoeg die bestaansboerdery in Suid-Afrika nie. In die verlede, het baie landelike gemeenskappe hulle eie kos voorsien. Vandag is dit nie meer die geval nie. Minister, is die landbou in 'n krisis, of nie?
Die ander kant van die munt vertel ons dat organiese landbou die gesondheid van die grond asook mense en ekosisteme behou. Ongeveer 30 000 ha wreldwyd word nou organies gekweek. Organiese landbou kombineer tradisionele innovasie en wetenskap om die gedeelde omgewing te ondersteun en om voordeel te trek, asook om eerlike verhoudings en 'n goeie kwaliteit van lewe vir almal wat betrokke is te bevorder. Hoe ondersteun die departement organies gekweekte produkte om 'n skoner en veiliger omgewing te bevorder? (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[The government does not give enough support to subsistence farming in South Africa. In the past, many rural communities supplied their own food. Today that is no longer the case. Minister, is agriculture in crisis, or not?
On the other hand, with organic farming the health of the land, people and ecosystems is maintained. Worldwide organic farming takes place on approximately 30 000 ha of land. Organic farming combines traditional innovation and science to support the shared environment and to benefit from it, and to promote honest relationships and a good quality of life for everyone who is involved with the process. How does the government support organically cultivated products in order to promote a cleaner and safer environment?]
Rift Valley Fever has had an enormous, negative impact on the lives of many farmers and citizens. Are the provinces equipped to react more effectively to such outbreaks? May we also ask the Minister if there is any precaution in place to safeguard all livestock in the country? Is there an extensive system of inspection?
Landbou is 'n ernstig betwiste terrein in Suid-Afrika as gevolg van ons geskiedenis. Hoe veronderstel die departement om 'n blywende en regverdige oplossing te vind? Minister, die visbedryf in Suid-Afrika is tans besig om onder moeilike omstandighede gebuk te gaan. Vissery verteenwoordig 'n relatief klein sektor binne die nasionale ekonomie van Suid-Afrika. Die Wes-Kaap is die middelpunt van die industrie en is die dominante werkgewer in gebiede soos Saldanha, St Helena-baai en Doringbaai. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Agriculture is a seriously contested area in South Africa due to our history. How does the department envisage finding a lasting and equitable solution?
Minister, the fishing industry in South Africa is facing serious challenges at the moment. The fishing industry represents a relatively small sector within the national economy of South Africa. The Western Cape is the centre of the industry and is the dominant employer in areas such as Saldanha, St Helena Bay and Doring Bay.]
A serious issue within this sector is illegal fishing, especially involving the Far East. This increased involvement has stimulated illegal fishing. Thank you very much. [Time expired.]