Agri SA’s drought relief efforts have been instrumental in assisting farmers and farmworkers during this difficult time.
Today, Agri SA is specifically calling on the private sector to contribute to Agri SA’s Drought Aid Fund to in turn support farmers in drought-stricken areas.
Agri SA submitted its commentary on the Expropriation Bill electronically to the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure on 22 February 2021, says Annelize Crosby, head of the organisation’s Land Affairs. This was mandated by all the organisation’s affiliates.
Agri SA had commissioned two studies in support of its commentary, namely a study on the economic impact of an approach of zero compensation or minimal compensation, as well as a study on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the agricultural sector. “Agri SA also sought legal advice on the matter, which was used in compiling the written submission.”
Briefly, Agri SA’s submission entails the following highlights:
Enquiries
Annelize Crosby
Agri SA Head: Land Affairs
C. +27 82 388 0017
Agri SA demands an immediate retraction of the ANC Northern Cape expropriation list. Agri SA will act in defence of its members in the Northern Cape, as we have done in the Melmoth case in Kwa-Zulu Natal. President Cyril Ramaphosa and top officials of the ANC have given repeated assurances that productive farms will not be targeted for expropriation without compensation (EWC). Agri SA has made it clear that it opposes any amendment of section 25 of the Constitution.
“We condemn the actions by the ANC in the Northern Cape in the strongest terms, and we will deal with it with the utmost sense of seriousness,” said Omri van Zyl, Executive Director of Agri SA. “We anticipated irresponsible statements leading up to the elections, but this amounts to cheap political point scoring.”
Agri SA will engage the diplomatic community on the ANC’s turnaround on the stated position of not targeting productive agricultural land. Today Agri SA will brief the Trump Administration by engaging the Deputy Secretary of State of the United States, John J. Sullivan on EWC and the Northern Cape list.
“Agri SA engages with government, the ANC, and all other organisations with the understanding that we all respect due process and the rule of law,” says Dan Kriek, Agri SA President. “We regard the latest statement by the Northern Cape ANC as being in breach of these principles. We have appealed to the national leadership of the ANC to intervene. We will not hesitate to litigate in order to protect private property rights, which we regard as absolutely critical for economic growth that we sorely need as a country.”
Agri SA hopes the ANC in the Northern Cape will come to their senses and comply with the demand. If not, Agri SA will take the legal route.
Enquiries
Omri van Zyl
Agri SA Executive Director
C. 082 417 5724
Dan Kriek
Agri SA President
C. 082 944 0566
Annelize Crosby
Agri SA Policy Head: Land
C. 082 388 0017
Agri SA’s Rural Safety Committee yesterday met with a high-level police delegation and other representatives of the country’s security forces for in-depth discussions and planning regarding various rural safety aspects that threaten the security of the farming community. “We appreciate the police’s involvement and the seriousness with which they regard the agricultural community’s safety”, said Agri SA President, Johannes Möller.
The unacceptable situation regarding farm attacks and murders, which have serious consequence for the farming community, received specific attention. The committee warned that farm attack and murder statistics should be used cautiously so as to not stir up emotions unnecessarily.
“The incorrect use of statistics leads to restlessness within the agricultural community. An analysis of recent farm murder statistics reported in the media shows that some of these murders, according to definition of a farm attack, are not farm murders. The incidence of recent farm murder speaks volumes about the sustained criminal onslaught on farmers, farm workers and their families, which is clearly not conducive for food security in South Africa and the stability of rural areas”, said Möller.
Agri SA is committed to the Operation Phakisa process but will not allow it to be hijacked for sectarian and narrow political agendas by President Jacob Zuma or any other politician, the agricultural union said on Saturday.
President Jacob Zuma had contradicted the good work done in Operation Phakisa with confusing political rhetoric, Agri SA said in a statement.
WATCH: President Zuma launches Operation Phakisa
The launch of the agriculture, land reform, and rural development leg of Operation Phakisa on Friday by Zuma and the ministers of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries and rural development and land reform was the net result of wide consultation and extensive engagement over a period of six months between organised agriculture, government officials, agriculture experts, labour unions, non-governmental organisations, state entities, and various other stakeholders with vested interests in agriculture, Agri SA said.
Seven working groups were established and came up with 27 implementable and pragmatic initiatives aimed at growing and transforming the agricultural sector. This process took place under the auspices of the presidency and a range of specialists ensured that every initiative was practically feasible, sustainable, and commercially viable.
