Agri SA E-nuusbrief / E-newsletter
Agri SA, Posbus/ PO Box 1508 Pretoria 0001, Tel +27+12 300 9500, Faks/ Fax +27+12 320 0557
Die weeklikse Agri SA Nuusbrief word saamgestel uit berigte en brokkies van die Algemene Sake-, Bedryfs- en Landboubesigheidskamers, vir u inligting en verspreiding
This weekly Agri SA Newsletter is compiled for your information and use from articles and snippets supplied by the General Affairs, Commodity and Agricultural Business
Chambers
Oktober 2008
In die nuusbrief:
• Agri SA Kongres 2008
• Menseregtekommissie stel verslag vry oor plaasondersoek
• Voorgestelde watertarief-aanpassings
• Versekeringskema vir landbou
• Regskonferensie
• Die Onteieningswetsontwerp
• Stand van damme
IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
• AGRI SA CONGRESS
• HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION LAUNCHES REPORT ON FARM ENQUIRY
• PROPOSED WATER TARIFF ADJUSTMENTS
• INSURANCE SCHEME FOR AGRICULTURE
• LEGAL CONFERENCE
• THE EXPROPRIATION BILL
• STATUS OF DAMS
Ondersteun ons vennote
Agri Securitas Trust Fund Partners
These partners make a contribution towards the safety of the farming community
Absa AgriBusiness
Enquiries: 011-350 6854 or your nearest Absa branch
Sanlam
Enquiries: Adv Kobus Engelbrecht 021-947 4506
Nissan SA
Enquiries: Francois Jacobs 083 471 4855
CrisisOnCall
Enquiries: Marius Vermaak 083 302 7576
Partners makeing a contribution in various fields within Agri SA
With their financial contributions, these partners have already demonstrated their support for the farmer and agriculture
Absa AgriBusiness
Enquiries: 011-350 6854 or your nearest Absa branch
T & E Finops
Enquiries: Esmé Theron 0861 440 666.
Barloworld
Enquiries: Adelé Smit 083 660 0799
Total SA
Enquiries: Contact your local co-op or Agri branch
Agri SA Group Provident Fund
Enquiries: Sakkie Hurd at (012)431 3333 or sakkieh@absa.co.za
Agri SA het groot waardering vir die vennote se betrokkenheid by die organisasie en die breë landbou
Agri Securitas gholfdae
Noord-Kaap 23 Oktober Upington Gholfklub
Limpopo 30 Oktober Korocreek Modimole (Nylstroom)
Noordwes 6 November Rustenburg Gholfklub
Navrae kan aan Lans Pepler gerig word by (021) 872 8539 of e-pos progolfm@telkomsa.net
Naamborg: Absa Hoofborg: Santam
Nasionale borge: Barloworld Motor, Mutual & Federal Agri, Alexnader Forbes, Beyerskloof,
Pfizer, Total SA, Clover, Landbouweekblad en Farmers Weekly
Navrae kan aan Lans Pepler gerig word by (021) 872 8539 of e-pos progolfm@telkomsa.net
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Agri SA Kongres 2008
Hans van der Merwe, Uitvoerende Direkteur
Agri SA se 2008-kongres word op 9 en 10 Oktober 2008 by die Saint George Hotel, net buite
Pretoria gehou te midde van onstuimigheid in die land se politieke omgewing en wankelrige
internasionale ekonomiese omstandighede. Soos ook die geval is met die res van die
sakegemeenskap, het landbouers en landboubesighede ‘n behoefte aan ‘n voorspelbare
politieke en sake-omgewing, wat op hierdie stadium meer vloeibaar is as dit waaraan ons die
afgelope 14 jaar gewoond was.
Die kongrestema van Agri SA handel juis oor “die toepaslikheid van Suid-Afrika se landbouagenda
gegewe die globale omgewing” wat ruimte laat vir die debattering van hierdie
veranderde omstandighede asook van die implikasies wat dit vir besluitneming in die landbou
inhou.
Aspekte soos voortgesette landbousubsidies en –beskerming deur nywerheidslande vanweë
die mislukking van die Wêreldhandelsorganisasie se Doha-rondte, hoë voedselpryse, die
potensiaal vir armmoedeverligting deur landbou-ontwikkeling, biobrandstof-ontwikkeling se
invloed op voedselproduksie en kommer oor klimaatsverandering, plaas landbou wêreldwyd op
die voorgrond. Die Suid-Afrikaanse landbou- en voedselbedryf, wat met die wêreldekonomie
geïntegreer is, moet hierdie omstandighede , tendense en vereistes verreken. Dit is juis wat
beplan word om met hierdie kongres van Agri SA te bereik.
Die inleidende gasspreker vir die kongres is mnr. Ajay Vashee, die president van die
Internasionale Federasie van Landbou-produsente. Hy sal na verwagting ‘n oorsig gee oor die
belangrikste kwessies waaraan landbouers tans wêreldwyd aandag gee om hul
bestaansekerheid, mededingendheid en winsgewendheid te verbeter. Hierop sal in drie
opeenvolgende sessies voortgebou word deur kundiges wat insette sal doen op die terreine van
die ekonomie, landbou-produksie en markoorwegings asook transformasiebestuur.
Kongresgangers sal met hierdie kundiges beleidsopsies kan debateer en voorstelle doen oor
beleidsoptrede waaraan Agri SA uitvoering moet gee.
Die ander buitesprekers wat by die kongres gaan optree is Mnr Ernst Janovsky van Absa, Mnr
Shan Ramburuth van die Mededingingskommissie, Prof André Jooste van die Nasionale
Landboubemarkingsraad, Dr John Purchase van die Landboubesigheidskamer, Prof Coleen
Vogel van die Universiteit van die Witwatersrand en Prof. Lise Korten van die Universiteit van
Pretoria.
Die kongres gaan ook ‘n aantal beleidsdokumente oorweeg, waaronder:
• Die ontwikkeling van lewensvaardighede en die vestiging van gesonde waardes vir die
plaaswerkergemeenskappe van Suid-Afrika; en
• Kommunikasie en netwerkverhoudinge
Die kongres is ook die geleentheid waartydens die afgevaardigdes verteenwoordigend van Agri
SA se nege provinsiale landbou-affiliasies, 29 bedryfsorganisasies en die
Landboubesigheidskamer ampsdraers kies vir die posisies van onderskeidelik president,
adjunk-president en drie vise-presidente, naamlik vir die Algemene Sakekamer, Bedyfskamer
en die Besigheidskamer. Hierdie verkiesing vind jaarliks plaas.
Media-navrae kan gerig word aan: Thea Liebenberg, kantoor tel 012-300 9500 of 082 388
0008 of per e-pos thea@agrisa.co.za
Menseregtekommissie stel verslag vry oor plaasondersoek
Kobus Kleynhans
Die Menseregtekommissie (MRK) het pas sy verslag vrygestel oor die openbare verhore na
beweerde skendings van menseregte op plase wat in September 2007 gehou is. Die
ondersoek was ‘n opvolg op ‘n soortgelyke ondersoek wat in 2003 gehou is om vas te stel of
daar enige vordering was sedert die 2003 ondersoek.
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Waar die vorige verslag skerp krities was teen die boeregemeenskap en in baie opsigte eensydig en
subjektief, lyk die nuwe verslag met die eerste deurlees meer gebalansseerd en objektief en toon ten
minste ‘n begrip vir die ingewikkelde aard van die plaaslewe en die onderlinge verhoudinge tussen
plaaswerkers.
In sy voorlegging tydens die bekendstellingsgeleentheid het die MRK voorsitter, Jody Kollapen, erkenning
gegee aan die belangrike rol van die landbousektor as voorsiener van voedsel, bydrae tot die ekonomie,
werkskepper, die lewensruimte wat op plase verskaf word vir miljoene Suid-Afrikaners en ook gewag
gemaak van die veranderde omstandighede, nasionaal en internasionaal, waarmee die landbousektor te
doen het.
Hoewel daar op sekere punte nog kritiek teen boere uitgespreek word is dit duidelik uit die aanbevelings
dat die MRK meen dat die klem bv. moet val op meer doelgerigte optrede deur staatsdepartemente en
dat die klem moet val op beter infrastruktuur en ondersteuningstrukture vir landelike bewoners en
plaasgemeenskappe. Een van die sake uitgewys is bv. die vestiging van nedersettings / dorpies /
dorpsuitbreidings vir die landelike bevolking, wat ook plaasbewoners insluit. Agri SA het nog altyd die
konsep van “off-farm” keuse vir behuising van plaaswerkers voorgestaan.
Agri SA sal die verslag nog volledig bestudeer en meer omvattende kommentaar opstel.
Voorgestelde watertarief-aanpassings
Nic Opperman, Direkteur: Natuurlike Hulpbronne
Die Departement van Waterwese en Bosbou (DWAF) het by ‘n nasionale konsultasie
vergadering met belangegroepe die voorgestelde verhoging in watertariewe vir 2009/10 bekend
gemaak.
Agri SA se afvaardiging onder leiding van Johannes Möller het die Departement meegedeel dat
die voorgestelde watertariefverhogings met maksimum stygings (in sekere gevalle meer as ‘n
100% wat deur die Departement tot 50 % beperk word) nie vir besproeiingsboere aanvaarbaar
is nie. Hy het die Departement versoek vir ‘n opvolg-gesprek met Agri SA en die TLU SA en
NAFU SA se verteenwoordigers uitgenooi om die vergadering by te woon. Agri SA het
onderneem om ‘n voorlegging in die verband op te stel om die samesprekings te rugsteun.
Möller het by die geleentheid gesê dat daar allerweë kommer in landbougeledere bestaan dat
die uitvoerstatus van landbouprodukte oor tyd van ‘n netto uitvoerder na ‘n netto invoerder
verander het, ten spyte daarvan dat pryse van sommige landbou-uitvoerprodukte gunstig
gestyg het.
Agri SA het soos by vorige geleenthede die Departement se tekotkominge met die
begrotingsproses uitgewys. Leemtes met die uiteensetting van begrotings en die vergelyking
daarvan met die vorige jaar se werklike uitgawes belemmer die deursigtigheid van die proses.
Agri SA het die Departement ook al by herhaling versoek om die begrotings op ‘n nul basis op
te stel en met watergebruikers se medewerking af te rond. In die afwesigheid van die
Opvangebiedbestuursagentskappe (CMA’s) vervul die Departement op hierdie stadium twee
rolle, as reguleerder en as ‘n diensverskaffer. Die CMA’s is in proses om in plek gestel te word
wat die gebrek aan inspraak van watergebruikers sal ondervang. DWAF se diensverskaffings
funksies word gevolglik eensydig ervaar, aangesien watergebruikers nie statutêre inspraak by
die Departement het nie.
‘n Verdere aspek wat by Agri SA kommer wek is dat daar nuwe koste-items by die begroting
toegevoeg is, wat die watertarief-aanpassings negatief beïnvloed.
Agri SA het die Departement versoek om die inwerkingstelling van die voorgestelde
interdepartementele komitee om die aanpassings in watertariewe te oorweeg, dringend te
bespoedig.
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Versekeringskema vir landbou
Johan Pienaar, Adjunk Uitvoerende Direkteur
Agri SA het Maandag met die belangrikste versekeraars in die landbou asook herversekeraars
vergader ten einde te besin oor ‘n omvattende versekeringskema vir die landbousektor. Dit het
gevolg na aanduidings ook vanuit owerheidsweë dat daar ‘n groter bereidwilligheid bestaan om
so ‘n skema te oorweeg ook met betrekking tot moontlike owerheidsbystand gerig op premies
en/of herversekering. Sodanige skema het reeds voorheen aandag geniet, maar die Nasionale
Tesourie se aandrang op omvattende kwantifisering van die moontlike staatsbetrokkenheid het
die skema grootliks gekelder. Dit blyk dat ‘n meer soepel benadering nou gevolg sal word. Die
vernaamste probleem met so ‘n stelsel is die insluiting van droogtetoestande daarby, veral ten
opsigte van oorwegend ongunstige klimaatstoestande in Suid-Afrika en die stygende uitwerking
daarvan op premies.
Verskeie lande in die wêreld het so ‘n stelsel in werking terwyl dit in terme van die dissiplines
van die Wêreldhandelsorganisasie as ‘n “green box” aangeleentheid aanvaar word wat beteken
dat bepaalde subsidies in die verband aanvaarbaar is. Die vergadering het spesifieke aandag
aan die stelsel soos tans van toepassing in Turkye verleen en dit sal verder nagegaan word met
die oop op moontlike implementering ter plaatse. Dit is moeilik om die toekoms van die
implementering van so ‘n stelsel in Suid-Afrika te voorsien ten minste is die proses nou weer
geaktiveer en alle rolspelers is bereid om aan die ontwikkeling daarvan deel te neem.
Regskonferensie
Annelize Crosby, Parlementêre verteenwoordiger, Adviseur: Regs- & Grondsake
Agri SA het op 23 September 2008 ‘n regskonferensie oor grondhervorming gehou. Regters
Gildenhuys en Bam van die Grondeisehof, Advokate Gerrit Grobler en Henk Havenga van
Pretoria balie en prokureurs Bertus van der Merwe en Aldo Rech, wat beide spesialiseer in
grondeise, het as sprekers opgetree.
Die konferensie is bygewoon deur sowat 70 afgevaardigdes wat verteenwoordigend was van
die nege provinsiale unies, enkele bedrywe die Landboubesigheidskamer en plattelandse
prokureursfirmas wat bande met provinsiale unies het.
Die twee regters het gepraat oor die rol, funksie en proses van die Grondeisehof in grondeise
en verblyfreg-dispute. Advokaat Grobler het gepraat oor sogenaamde kruipende onteienings.
Hy het onder andere gesê dat daar ‘n onderskeid is, ook in ons reg tussen onteiening, waarvoor
vergoeding betaalbaar is en sogenaamde beplanningsmaatreëls oftewel “police powers”, wat
gebruik kan word om persone se eiendomsreg in te perk of selfs weg te neem, maar waar daar
nie regte in die staat vestig nie en geen vergoeding betaalbaar is nie. Sodra daar ‘n reg in die
staat vestig, is dit ‘n onteiening en is vergoeding betaalbaar. Dit kan egter soms moeilik wees
om te onderskei tussen beplanningsmaatreëls en onteiening. Hy het die mening uitgespreek
dat die ontneming an mineraalregte in terme van die sogenaamde “use it or lose it” beginsel,
neerkom op onteiening, waarvoor vergoeding betaalbaar behoort te wees. Daar is ook ander
voorbeelde waar regte deur ‘n kombinasie van wette, wat dalk op hul eie wettig en billik mag
voorkom, ontneem word, sonder dat daar billike vergoeding betaalbaar is. Daar bestaan
internasionaal aanvaarbare norme vir die bepaling van vergoeding by onteiening. Baie van
hierdie norme is vervat in die huidige (1975 Onteieningswet) en in artikel 25 van die Grondwet.
Advokaat Henk Havenga het die konferensie toegespreek oor ‘n paar belangrike hofbeslissings
oor restitusie en die implikasies daarvan. Hy het onder andere die mening uitgespreek dat die
Konstitusionele Hof se beslissing in die sogenaamde Popela-saak sekere belangrike
implikasies inhou vir gemeenskapseise waarby huurarbeiders betrokke is. Hy het ook
verduidelik hoe die howe die begrip “rasgebaseerde praktyk” interpreteer en hoe die howe
omgaan met die kwessie van “billike vergoeding” in gevalle waar die eisers wel destyds
vergoeding vir die ontneming van hulle regte ontvang het.
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Aldo Rech het ‘n voorlegging gedoen oor die hantering van landelike restitusie-eise. Hy het
onder andere bevestig dat onteiening slegs kan plaasvind in gevalle waar daar geen dispuut oor
die geldigheid van ‘n eis bestaan nie.
Bertus van der Merwe se voorlegging het gehandel oor die rol van die Wet op die Bevordering
van Toegang tot Inligting en die Wet op die Bevordering van Administratiewe Geregtigheid in
die grondhervormingsproses. Hy het verduidelik hoe hierdie twee stukke wetgewing
aangewend kan word in veral die restitusie-proses om te verseker dat grondeienaars se regte
ge-eerbiedig word.
Die Onteieningswetsontwerp
Annelize Crosby, Parlementêre verteenwoordiger, Adviseur: Regs- & Grondsake
Die kontroversiële Onteieningswetsontwerp, wat gedurende Junie, na die openbare verhore in
die Parlement “op ys” geplaas is, is op 23 September 2008 formeel teruggetrek uit die
parlementêre proses. Daar was groot onduidelikheid oor die presiese status van die
wetsontwerp en die redes waarom die Portefeuljekomitee op Openbare Werke nie voortgegaan
het om dit te debatteer en aan te neem na die openbare verhore nie. Daar was geweldige
teenstand teen die wetsontwerp en die grondwetlikheid van sekere aspekte daarvan is deur
verskeie rolspelers in twyfel getrek. Skynbaar was daar ook ‘n parlementêre regsadviseur wat
gewaarsku het dat aspekte van die wetsontwerp ongrondwetlik mag wees. Agri SA verwag dat
die wetsontwerp op ‘n stadium weer by die Parlement ingedien sal word, maar sal druk vir
behoorlike konsultasie vooraf om te verseker dat probleme daarmee aangespreek word. Agri
SA, saam met besigheidsvennote binne BUSA, sal verdere prosesse fyn dophou.
Stand van damme
Martina Benadé, Ekonomie en Handel
Danksy bonormale reën wat oor die grootste gedeeltes van die winterreënvalgebiede geval het,
het dit gelei tot goeie produksietoestande vir koring in die Wes-Kaap. Meeste somerreënval
gebiede is droog. Hierdie droë toestande, hoë temperature en sterk wind lei tot gunstige
toestande vir die ontwikkeling en verspreiding van veldbrande met verwoestende gevolge vir
weiding en vee. Volgens die Departement van Waterwese se jongste damverslag het die
gemiddelde stand van damme in hierdie week met ongeveer 0,8% afgeneem tot 81,4%. Vir die
ooreenstemmende tydperk verlede jaar was die stand 69,2%. Damme in die Oos-Kaap,
Limpopo en Noordwes is onderskeidelik 71,2%, 69,2% en 67,8% vol, terwyl damme in die
Vrystaat (83,5%), Gauteng (97,5%), KwaZulu-Natal (81,1%), Mpumalanga (80,9%), Noord-
Kaap (91,8%) en Wes-Kaap (91,7%) meer as 80% vol is. Onder die land se groot damme lê die
Vaaldam op 82,1%, die Sterkfonteindam staan op 98,4%, Bloemhofdam is op 86,9%, die
Gariepdam op 76,5% en die Vanderkloofdam op 98,4%. Reserwes in besproeiingsdamme in die
meeste provinsies vir die komende somer is besonder hoog. Die algemene prentjie, alhoewel
dit ook beter vertoon, verskans noodwendig die situasie in spesifieke gebiede, waarvan
verskeie ten tye van die skrywe van die nuusbrief in ‘n kommerwekkende situasie verkeer.
AGRI SA CONGRESS 2008
Hans van der Merwe, Executive Director
Agri SA’s 2008 Congress is scheduled for 9 and 10 October 2008 at the Saint George Hotel
outside Pretoria and will take place amid turbulent political circumstances locally and unstable
international economic conditions. As in the case of the rest of the business community,
farmers and agribusinesses require a predictable political and business environment, which at
this stage is more fluid than we have been accustomed to for the past 14 years.
In fact, the theme of this year’s Congress is: The appropriateness of South Africa’s agricultural
agenda given the global environment, which allows room for debating these changes as well as
the implications thereof on decision-making within agriculture.
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Aspects such as continued farm subsidies and protection provided by industrial countries due to
the failure of the World Trade organisation’s Doha round, high food prices, the potential for
poverty relief through agricultural development, the influence of bio-fuel development on food
prices and concerns regarding climate change, have placed agriculture in the spotlight. The
South African agricultural and food industry, which is integrated with the world economy, has to
offset these circumstances, trends and demands. This is in fact what Agri SA hopes to achieve
at this Congress.
The introductory speaker at the congress is Mr Ajay Vashee, president of the International
Federation of Agricultural Producers. He is expected to provide an overview of the important
issues to which farmers worldwide are attending at present to improve their economic security,
competitiveness and profitability. Thereafter experts will provide relevant input during three
consecutive sessions which will focus on the economy, agricultural production and market
considerations as well as transformation management. Congress-goers will be able to debate
policy options with these experts and make proposals regarding policy actions which Agri SA
should implement.
The other external speakers at the Congress are Mr Ernst Janovsky of Absa, Mr Shan
Ramburuth of the Human Rights Commission, Prof. André Jooste of the National Agricultural
Marketing Council, Dr John Purchase of the Agricultural Business Chamber, Prof. Coleen Vogel
of the University of the Witwatersrand and Prof. Lise Korten of the University of Pretoria.
Congress will also consider a number of policy documents, including:
• The development of life skills and establishment of sound values for farm worker
communities in South Africa; and
• Communication and networking relationships.
The Congress also serves as an opportunity for delegates representing Agri SA’s nine
provincial agricultural affiliates, 29 commodity organisations and the Agricultural Business
Chamber to elect office bearers for the positions of President, Deputy President and three vice
presidents, namely for the General Chamber, Commodity Chamber and the Business Chamber.
This election takes place annually.
Media enquiries can be addressed to: Thea Liebenberg, office tel. 012-300 9500 or 082 388
0008 or per e-mail thea@agrisa.co.za.
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION LAUNCHES REPORT ON FARM
ENQUIRY
Kobus Kleynhans
The Human Rights Commission (HRC) recently launched its report on the public hearings into
alleged human rights abuses on farms.
The hearings, which were conducted in September 2007 and followed on a similar inquiry in
2003, were aimed at monitoring progress made since 2003.
While the previous report had been highly critical of the farming community and in many
respects one sided and non-objective, the new report at first glance appears to be more
balanced and objective and at least shows understanding for the complex nature of farm life
and the relationship between farm dwellers.
In his presentation the Chairman of the Human Rights Commission, Jody Kollapen,
acknowledged the important role that the agricultural sector plays as supplier of food, its
contribution to the economy and job creation, and the livelihood it affords to millions of South
Africans on farms. He also made reference to the changing circumstances, nationally and
internationally, with which the agricultural sector has to cope.
While criticism is still levelled at farmers in certain respects, it is clear from the
recommendations that the HRC believes the emphasis should be on more purposeful
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interventions by government departments, for example improved infrastructure and support
structures for rural dwellers and farm communities. One of the issues highlighted for instance is
the establishment of settlements / villages / town extensions for the rural population, which will
include farm workers.
Agri SA has always favoured the concept of “off-farm” options for housing farm workers.
Agri SA is still studying the report in detail and more comprehensive comments will be drafted.
PROPOSED WATER TARIFF ADJUSTMENTS
Nic Opperman, Director: Natural Resources
The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), during a national consultation meeting
with stakeholders, announced the proposed increase in water tariffs for 2009/10.
Agri SA’s delegation, led by Johannes Möller, informed the Department that the proposed water
tariff increase, with maximum increases (in certain cases more than 100%, which is limited by
the Department to 50%), was not acceptable to irrigation farmers. Agri SA asked the
Department for a follow-up meeting, and invited the representatives of TAU SA and NAFU SA to
attend the meeting. Agri SA undertook to compile a submission in this regard to support the
discussions.
Möller also referred to widespread concern within agricultural circles that the export status of
agricultural products had changed over time from net exporter to net importer despite the fact
that prices of some farm exports had increased considerably.
As at a previous occasion, Agri SA listed the shortcomings in the Department’s budgeting
process. Deficiencies in the manner in which the budget is compiled, using a comparison with
the actual expenses of the prior year, hamper the transparency of the process. Agri SA had
repeatedly requested the Department to compile their budgets on a zero basis and to round it
off with the water users’ co-operation. In the absence of Catchment Management Agencies, the
Department at this stage fulfils two roles, namely as regulator and as service provider. The
CMAs are currently being established and will address the water users’ lack of input towards the
process. DAWF’s service provision functions are therefore regarded as unilateral as water
users have no statutory influence with the Department.
A further aspect that concerns Agri SA is that new cost items had been added to the budget,
which have a negative impact on water tariff adjustments.
Agri SA urged the Department to expedite the implementation of the proposed
interdepartmental committee appointed to consider water tariff adjustments.
INSURANCE SCHEME FOR AGRICULTURE
Johan Pienaar: Deputy Executive Director
Agri SA on Monday met with the most important insurers in agriculture as well as reinsurers to
decide on a comprehensive insurance scheme for the agricultural sector. This followed after
indications from government side that there was a greater willingness to consider such a
scheme, also with regard to possible government assistance in terms of premiums and/or
reinsurance. Such a scheme had been considered previously, but the National Treasury’s
insistence on in-depth quantification of possible state involvement had largely sunk the project.
It appears that a more supple approach will now be followed. The main problem with such a
system is the inclusion of drought conditions, especially given the mostly unfavourable climatic
conditions in South Africa and the upward impact thereof on premiums.
Various countries in the world operate such a system while, in terms of the disciplines of the
World Trade Organisation, it is accepted as a “green box” issue, which means that certain
subsidies in this regard are acceptable. The meeting focused specifically on the system as
currently applicable in Turkey, which will be further examined with a view to possible
- 8 -
implementation locally. It is difficult to predict the future of such a system in South Africa but at
least the process has now been reactivated and all role players are willing to participate in the
development thereof.
LEGAL CONFERENCE
Annelize Crosby, Parliamentary representative, Adviser: Legal & Land Affairs
Agri SA hosted a legal conference on land reform on 23 September 2008. Judges Gildenhuys
and Bam of the Land Claims Court, Advocates Gerrit Grobler and Henk Havenga of the Pretoria
bar and the attorneys Bertus van der Merwe and Aldo Rech, both of who specialise in land
claims, acted as speakers.
The conference was attended by approximately 70 delegates representing nine provinces,
certain commodities, the Agricultural Business Chamber and rural law firms with ties to the
provincial unions.
The two judges addressed the role, function and process of the Land Claims Court with regard
to land claims and tenure disputes. Advocate Grobler spoke about the so-called “creeping
expropriations”. He mentioned, among other things, that a distinction is made, also in our law,
between expropriation in respect of which compensation is payable, and so-called planning
measures, or police powers, which could be used to restrict a person’s property rights or even
deprive them of such rights, but where no rights vest in the state and no compensation is
payable. As soon as a right is vested in the state it becomes expropriation, with compensation
being payable. However, it could sometimes be difficult to distinguish between planning
measures and expropriation. He was of the opinion that depriving someone of mineral rights in
terms of the so-called “use it or lose it” principle, amounted to expropriation, which should be
subject to compensation. There are also other examples where rights are expropriated through
a combination of laws, which, on their own may seem legitimate and fair, without reasonable
compensation being payable. There are internationally acceptable norms for determining
compensation in the event of expropriation. Many of these norms are contained in the existing
Expropriation Act (1975) and in section 25 of the Constitution.
Advocate Henk Havenga addressed the conference on a number of important court judgments
relating to restitution and the implications thereof. He expressed the opinion, among others, that
the Constitutional Court ruling in the so-called Popela case held certain important implications
for community claims in which labour tenants were involved. He also explained how the courts
interpret the concept “race-based practice” and how the courts deal with the issue of “fair
compensation” in cases where the claimants had in fact previously received compensation
when they were deprived of their rights.
Aldo Rech spoke on the handling of rural restitution claims. He confirmed, among other things,
that expropriation could only take place in cases where there is no dispute regarding the validity
of a claim.
Bertus van der Merwe’s presentation dealt with the role of the Promotion of Access to
Information Act and the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act within the land reform process.
He explained that these two acts could be used in the restitution process, in particular, to
ensure that land owners’ rights are respected.
THE EXPROPRIATION BILL
Annelize Crosby, Parliamentary representative, Adviser: Legal & Land Affairs
The controversial Expropriation Bill, which was “put on ice” in June after the public hearings in
Parliament, was formally withdrawn from the parliamentary process on 23 September 2008.
There was great uncertainty regarding the precise status of the bill and the reasons why the
Portfolio Committee on Public Works did not proceed with in debating and accepting the bill
after the public hearings. There was tremendous opposition to the bill and various role players
expressed doubt regarding the constitutionality of some aspects thereof. Apparently there was
also a parliamentary legal adviser who warned that aspects of the bill might be unconstitutional.
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Agri SA expects that the bill would be tabled in Parliament again at a later stage, but will
demand effective prior consultation to ensure that problems experienced with the bill are
addressed. Agri SA, together with its business partners within BUSA, will monitor further
processes very closely.
STATUS OF DAMS
Martina Benadé, Economics and Trade
Thanks to above-average rains across the greater part of the winter rainfall areas, good
production conditions were experienced for wheat in the Western Cape. Most summer rainfall
areas are dry. These dry conditions, high temperatures and strong winds are conducive to the
development and spread of veld fires, with devastating consequences for pastures and
livestock. According to the Department of Water Affairs’ latest dam report, the average level of
dams this week dropped by approximately 0,8% to 81,4%. For the corresponding period last
year this figure was 69,2%. Dam levels in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and North West stand at
71,2%, 69,2% and 67,8% respectively, while dams in the Free State (83,5%), Gauteng (97,5%),
KwaZulu-Natal (81,1%), Mpumalanga (80,9%), Northern Cape (91,8%) and Western Cape
(91,7%) are more than 80% full. With regard to the country’s major dams, the Vaal Dam stands
at 82,1% the Sterkfontein Dam at 98,4%, the Bloemhof Dam at 86,9%, the Gariep Dam at
76,5% and the Vanderkloof Dam at 98,4%. Reserves of irrigation dams in most provinces are
exceptionally high for the forthcoming summer. The general picture, although much better,
conceals the situation in specific areas, many of which at the time of compiling this newsletter is
an alarming situation.
RSG Landbou-program
RSG Landbou bestaan uit aktualiteitsonderhoude en landbounuus wat van Maandae tot
Donderdae van 12:30-12:45 uitgesaai word op RSG. Die aanbieder is Hennie Maas.
Stigterslede Agri SA, MPO en Graan SA is verantwoordelik vir die verskaffing van
inligting vir die programinhoud. Die programinhoud en nuus word gekoördineer en
saamgestel deur Agri Connect.
Erkenning word gegee aan die volgende borge en medewerkers wat van RSG
Landbou ‘n sukses help maak: Agri SA, MPO, Graan SA, Agri Connect,
AgriBonus, Pfizer, UniGrain, Cape Wools’ SA, The Maize Trust, Olie
Advieskomitee, Voermol, Sanlam Cobalt, Santam en Pannar.
Landboufokus
Landboufokus, geborg deur FNB, is ‘n nuwe landbouprogram wat 1 Oktober 2007
afgeskop het van Maandae-Vrydae van 4:45-4:55 op RSG. Die program bestaan uit
interessante onderhoude oor verskillende landboubedrywe. Die program word
aangebied deur Hennie Maas en word saamgestel deur Agri Connect.
Agriculture Today
SABC 2 Maandae – Vrydae 05:45
SABC Africa (kanaal 53) Sondae 12:30
Ons spreek oudergewoonte landboukwessies aan, kyk na die jongste markpryse.
We have a look at what the weather holds.
Lekker boer! / Enjoy your farming!
Hierdie nuusbrief word saamgestel en uitgereik deur Agri SA Korporatiewe Skakeling
This newsletter is compiled and issued by Agri SA Corporate Liaison
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