NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 550
QUESTION 550 FOR WRITTEN REPLY TO MR D A WORTH (DA-FS) ASKED TO THE
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:
(1)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Whether her department has been informed of the report of the
Southern African Development Community (SADC) claiming an expected
1.41 million ton cereal crop deficit for the current financial year;
if not; what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the
relevant details;
(2)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Whether her department will conduct an investigation into the
matter; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Whether her department has identified any measures to ensure
security of affordable food supply; if not, why not; if so, what are
the relevant details?     CW694E
Reply
1) Yes. South Africa is an integral part of SADC, and my Department has
helped to develop this data. According to the SADCâs Food Security
Early Warning Systems update of July 2012 the region is faced with
production deficit of about 7%. This regional cereal deficit is due to
the production forecast shortage for the production season 2011/12 in
Angola (1.34 MT), Mozambique (1.86MT), South Africa (1.41MT) and
Zimbabwe (1.46MT). However Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia have recorded a
surplus in their cereal production. South Africaâs 1.41MT cereal
deficit is a result of our wheat and sorghum/millet production deficit
of 16% and 19% respectively. South Africaâs maize balance sheet
indicated a surplus on maize production of 2.7%.
2) No. Food security issues are monitored on a regular basis, and there
is no need for a special investigation.
3) The Cabinet has mandated the Minister to lead an Inter-Ministerial
Committee on Food Prices and Food Security, and the matter will come
before Cabinet thereafter.