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
No: 18/2007
23 Oktober 2007
In die nuusbrief:
? Getuienis voor die MRK mislei
? RGN: Houdingsopname
? Parlementêre verslag 8 – 19 Oktober 2007
IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
? EVIDENCE BEFORE THE HRC MISLEADS
? HSRC: ATTITUDES SURVEY
? PARLIAMENTARY REPORT 8 – 19 OCTOBER 2007
Ondersteun ons vennote
Agri Securitas Trust Fund Partners
These partners make a contribution towards the safety of the farming community.
Absa AgriBusiness, (011)350 6854 or your nearest Absa branch, Sanlam enquiries: Adv Kobus Engelbrecht (021) 947 4506 Nissan SA enquiries: Hennie Kotzé 082 459 7574, CrisisOnCall enquiries: Marius Vermaak 083 302 7576
The following partners make a considerable contribution in various fields within Agri SA. With their financial contributions, these partners have already demonstrated their support for the farmer and agriculture.
Barloworld, enquiries: Dirk van Rooy 084 589 8555, T & E Finops enquiries: Esmé Theron 0861 440 666.
Absa AgriBusiness, (011)350 6854 or your nearest Absa branch, Total SA enquiries: Contact your local co-op or Agri branch. Eskom, enquiries: Annakie Swanepoel, (051)404 2665, Agri SA Group Provident Fund, enquiries Sakkie Hurd at (012)431 3333 or sakkieh@absa.co.za. as well as Land Bank
Agri SA het groot waardering vir die vennote se betrokkenheid by die organisasie en die breë landbou.
ABSA/AGRI SECURITAS GHOLF REEKS TEN BATE VAN PLAASVEILIGHEID
Navrae: Lans Pepler – progolfm@telkomsa.net of Sel: 082 787 2472
ERKENNING WORD AAN DIE VOLGENDE NASIONALE BORGE GEGEE
Mutual & Federal Agri, Vodacom, Pannar, Omnia, Barloworld Motor, Landbouweekblad, Ford SA, Sanlam, Alexander Forbes and Golf Heaven
Getuienis voor die MRK mislei
Kobus Kleynhans
Tydens die openbare verhore na plaasgemeenskappe, is getuienis aan die MRK voorgelê dat ‘n 14 jarige seun na ‘n ongeluk met ‘n kragaangedrewe masjien op ‘n plaas in Noord-Wes gesterf het. Daar is ook beweer dat die masjien onvoldoende beveilig was en dat die betrokke boer nalatig opgetree het.
Intussen het die hof waar die betrokke boer tereggestaan het op ‘n aanklag van strafbare manslag of alternatiewelik nalatigheid en ‘n oortreding van artikel 8 (1) van die Wet op Beroepsveiligheid, Wet 85 van 1993, uitspraak gelewer.
Die uitspraak kan kortliks soos volg saamgevat word:
• Die hof het getuienis aanvaar dat die oorledene 17 jaar oud was ten tye van die voorval en nie 14 jaar soos beweer is nie. Dit kom dus daarop neer dat die oorledene wettig in diens geneem is ingevolge artikels 43 en 44 van die Wet op Basiese Diensvoorwaardes en klousule 25 van Sektorale Vasstelling no 13 (Plaaswerkers).
• Die hof het die beskuldigde vrygespreek op die klag van strafbare manslag.
• Wat betref die klag van ‘n oortreding van artikel 8 (1) van die Wet op Beroepsveiligheid is die boer ook vrygespreek. In haar uitspraak het die landdros onder andere opgemerk dat die inspekteur van die Departement van Arbeid bevooroordeeld was in die aflegging van sy getuienis. Die landdros het die verdediging se getuienis aanvaar dat die masjien behoorlik beveilig was; dat die gedeelte van die masjien waar die ongeluk voorgekom het ‘n behoorlik waarskuwingsteken vertoon het wat selfs ongeletterdes kan verstaan; en dat die boer die werkers opgelei het in die hantering van die masjien.
Agri SA het die MRK skriftelik versoek dat die hof se uitspraak deeglik in ag geneem word wanneer die getuienis wat tydens die verhoor voorgelê is oorweeg word.
Die insident kan, en het waarskynlik, skade gedoen aan die beeld van die boer as werkgewer. In die geval het die betrokke boer, Karools van den Heever, soos ‘n redelike mens opgetree en het die hof hom gelyk gegee. Boere word nietemin by herhaling bedag gemaak daarop dat beroepsveiligheid op plase en die gebruik van kinderarbeid sterk in die soeklig is, nie net in Suid Afrika nie, maar ook Internasionaal deur die werking van die Internasionale Arbeidsorganisasie. Boere moet dus besondere sorg aan die dag lê in die verband.
RGN: Houdingsopname
Kobus Visser, Direkteur: Korporatiewe Skakeling
Die RGN onderneem jaarliks ‘n nasionale opname bekend as die “South African Social Attitudes Survey”. Jaarliks word ‘n steeksproef van 7000 respondente ouer as 16 jaar uit die RGN se databasis getrek om ‘n verteenwoordigende prentjie van die mense van Suid-Afrika te kry. Die fokus in vanjaar se houdingsopname sal fokus op die geïdentifiseerde nasionale prioriteitsareas wat insluit die demokrasie en regering, interpersoonlike verhoudings, armoede en sosiale uitsluiting, welvaart en werk en dienslewering. Die studie word gelyktydig in al nege provinsies onderneem en sal help om te bepaal hoe baie of hoe min mense in Suid-Afrika se opinies en uitkyk oor die kwessies verskil.
Persoonlike onderhoude sal met respondente tuis gevoer word wat grondeienaars en ook plaaswerkers sal insluit. Dit sal tot gevolg hê dat plase vir die doel besoek sal moet word deur gemagtigde beamptes van die RGN. In dié verband, het die RGN, Agri SA skriftelik ingelig oor die voorgenome besoeke en het die organisasie kennis daarvan geneem. In sy antwoord het Agri SA die RGN ingelig oor die protokol vir plaastoegang en dat in dié geval dit volgens die protokol nodig sal wees om vooraf ‘n afspraak te maak om die plaas te besoek. Die RGN is ook versoek om met Agri SA se provinsiale affiliasies kontak te maak en in te lig oor die opname. Relevante inligting oor die opname is reeds aan die affiliasies beskikbaar gestel.
Parlementêre verslag 8 – 19 Oktober 2007
Annelize Crosby, Parlementêre verteenwoordiger, Adviseur: Regs- & Grondsake
Voorlegging aan Portefeuljekomitee op Landbou en Grondsake
Jaarverslae: Landbounavorsingsraad (LNR), Nasionale Bemarkingsraad en Departement van Landbou
Die Landbounavorsingsraad (LNR) en die Nasionale Bemarkingsraad het beide op 11 Oktober 2007 hul jaarverslae aan die Portefeuljekomitee op Landbou en Grondsake voorgehou. Dr Shadrack Moephuli, Hoof Uitvoerende Beampte van die LNR het die voorlegging gedoen. Hy het die mandaat van die LNR asook spesifieke doelwitte van die organisasie uitgespel. Die LNR beskou dit as sy rol om maksimum waarde toe te voeg tot primêre landbouprodukte binne die landbou-waardeketting, asook om die volhoubare gebruik van natuurlike hulpbronne te bevorder, navorsing te doen oor klimaatsverandering, peste en plae te help uitroei en te help om markte vir landbouprodukte te groei en ontwikkel. Die LNR het onder andere 35 boere in Limpopo opgelei in produktsietegnologie en besigheidsvaardighede om hulle in staat te stel om betrokke te raak in die biobrandstof industrie. Die LNR is besig om ‘n nuwe rigting in te slaan, en is in ‘n proses om sy interne stelsels te verbeter.
Mr Tshelilo Ramabulana, die Hoof Uitvoerende Beampte van die Bemarkingsraad het hul voorlegging hanteer. Die Raad is onlangs nuut saamgestel met Me. Ntombi Msimang as Voorsitster en Dr Karaan as Vise-Voorsitter. Mnr Ramabulana het die Bemarkingsraad se mandaat en programme aan die Komitee voorgehou. Hy het gesê dat die Raad sukkel met begrotingsbeperkings. Daar word tans ‘n nuwe Bemarkingswet geskryf, wat binne die volgende paar maande gepubliseer sal word. Dit volg op die aanbevelings van die Bemarkings-hersieningskomitee. Daar was heelwat bespreking oor voedelselpryse. Dr Mohammed Karaan het gewaarsku dat daar waarskynlik wêreldwyd groot prysstygings in voedselpryse gaan plaasvind in die volgende paar jaar en dat dit daarom nodig is om aan te hou om voedselpryse te monitor. Die Bemarkingsraad het markontwikkelingsprogramme vir graan en oliesade, sitrus en rooivleis. Daar is verslag gedoen oor gelde wat gein is dmv statutêre heffings. R149 miljoen is op die wyse ingesamel. Hiervan is 42% op navorsing gespandeer, 17% op projekte vir opkomende boere, 15% op inligting en 10% op uitvoer-bevordering. Daar is ook ‘n opsomming gegee van die finansiële posisie van die verskillende industrie-trusts.
Die Departement van Landbou het op 16 Oktober 2007 sy Jaarverslag aan die Portefeuljekomitee op Landbou n Grondsake voorgehou. Die voorlegging is gedoen deur Mnr Masipula Mbongwa, die Direkteur-Generaal. Hy het gesê dat die Departement hom in sy aktiwiteite laat lei deur die visie vir die sektor, soos uiteengesit in die Strategiese Plan vir Landbou. Hy het verslag gedoen oor die verskillende programme waarby die Departement betrokke is. Hy het gesê dat daar ‘n spesiale program vir voedselsekerheid is en dat 66 000 huishoudings landbou wegspring-pakkette (starter packs) ontvang het. Hy het verder gesê dat die AgriSEB Handves nou gefinaliseer en gepubliseer is. Daar sal waarskynlik nou ‘n artikel 12 volg in terme waarvan ‘n Landbou Kode ontwikkel sal word. ‘n Konsep Rampbestuurplan is ontwikkel. Die DG het gesê dat die Departement sy inspeksie-en kwarantyn-dienste sal moet verbeter. Tydens vraetyd het Mnr Mbongwa verwys na die Agri SA kongres waar hy as ‘n spreker opgetree het en ook na die insette van Drs Van Zyl en Kirsten tydens die kongres. Hy het veral klem gelê op die verslag van die Harvard groep van ekonome, wat die belangrikheid van regeringsteun vir die landbousektor beklemtoon het. Die Voorsitter het gevra oor eenheid in die sektor, met verwysing na die konflik tussen die Ministerie en georganiseerde landbou. Die DG het gesê dat daar sekere reëls bestaan binne die Presidensiële Werkgroep, waarvan een is dat partye sover moontlik moet wegstuur van negatiewe en skadelike uitlatings en eerder hul verskille intern moet probeer oplos. Hy het verwys na die nuwe forum wat in die lewe geroep is waarop die rolspelers in die sektor sitting sal hê en konsensus sal probeer bereik en het gesê dat dit ‘n positiewe verwikkeling is. Daar is ook berig dat ‘n ondersoek na voorligtingsdienste onderneem is, na aanleiding waarvan daar sekere aanbevelings gemaak is, wat nou geïmplementeer word. Nuwe voorligtingsbeamptes word tans opgelei. Attie Swart het gesê dat die Landbou Sektorplan hersien word. Hy het gesê dat die Departement intern groot vordering met die implementering van die Sektorplan gemaak het en dat die verskeie Sektorstrategië wat deur onder andere die Graanbedryf, Wynbedryf, Vrugtebedryf en andere aangeneem is, ook bewys van vordering in hierdie verband is.
Departement Grondsake se verslag met aanbevelings oor buitelandse grondbesit
Dr Sipho Sibanda van die Departement Grondsake het op 17 Oktober 2007 ‘n voorlegging gedoen aan die Portefeuljekomitee op Landbou en Grondsake oor die verslag met aanbevelings oor buitelandse grondbesit. Hy het kortliks met die bevindinge van die verslag gehandel wat daarop neerkom dat buitelanders tussen 1 en 3% van grond besit in Suid-Afrika, afhangende van die tipe grond wat ter sprake is. Die syfers is ‘n beraming, aangesien die inligting oor hoeveel grond deur buitelandse maatskappye n trust besit word, nie bekend is nie. Volgens die verslag word 27.45% van alle plase deur maatskappye, BK’s en trusts besit. Die waarde van hierdie plase verteenwoordig egter 78.09% van die totale waarde van alle plase in Suid-Afrika. Die Verslag beveel aan dat daar gedwonge bekendmaking van inligting oor die ras en geslag van grondeienaars moet wees. Dit het ‘n warm debat ontketen, waar die DA sterk standpunt ingeneem het teen sodanige stap. Selfs van die ANC Komiteelede het gewaarsku dat daar baie sensitief met die kwessie omgegaan moet word. Daar is ook aanbeveel dat daar ‘n twee jaar moratorium op die vervreemding van staatsgrond aan buitelanders geplaas moet word en dat Ministeriële toestemming vir sekere transaksies verkry moet word. Die verslag is gepubliseer vir kommentaar.
EVIDENCE BEFORE THE HRC MISLEADS
Kobus Kleynhans
At the public hearings into farming communities, evidence was submitted to the HRC that a 14-year-old boy died following an accident with a power driven machine on a farm in North West.
The court where the farmer was charged on counts of culpable homicide or, in the alternative negligence through non compliance with section 8 (1) of Act no 85 of 1993 (Occupational Health and Safety Act), has now handed down judgment.
The verdict can briefly be summarized as follows:
• The court accepted evidence that the deceased was in fact 17 years of age and not 14 as was alleged. This means that in terms of section 43 and 44 of the BCEA and clause 25 of Sectoral Determination no 13 (Farm Worker Sector) the deceased had been employed legally by the farmer.
• The accused was acquitted on the charge of culpable homicide.
• On the charge of contravention of section 8 (1) of Act No 85 of 1993, the accused was also acquitted. In her judgment the magistrate stated, inter alia, that the inspector of the Department of Labour, in giving evidence, had been biased. The magistrate accepted the evidence led by the defense to the effect that the machine was properly guarded; that the part of the machine where the accident happened was properly marked with warning signs which even an illiterate person could understand; and that the workers had been trained by the farmer to operate the machine.
Agri SA requested the HRC in writing that the court’s judgment be taken into account when the evidence submitted during the hearings are considered. The incident could, and perhaps did cause damage to the image of the farmer as employer. In this case the farmer, Karools van den Heever, acted like a reasonable person and the court accepted that.
Farmers are nevertheless once again alerted to the fact that occupational safety and the use of child labour on farms are very much the focus of the labour world, not only in South Africa, but also Internationally through the International Labour Organisation. Farmers should therefore take particular care in this regard.
HSRC: ATTITUDES SURVEY
Kobus Visser, Director: Corporate Liaison
The HSRC each year conducts a national survey known as the “South African Social Attitudes Survey”. Each year a sample of 7 000 respondents older than 16 years is drawn from the HSRC database to obtain a representative picture of people in South Africa. This year’s survey will focus on the identified national priority areas, including democracy and government, interpersonal relationships, poverty and social exclusion, prosperity, work and service delivery. The study is conducted simultaneously in all nine provinces and will help to determine how much or little the opinions and perceptions of South Africans differ with regard to certain issues.
Personal interviews will be conducted with respondents at their homes, including landowners and farm workers. This means that farms must be visited by authorised HSRC officials. For this purpose the HSRC has informed Agri SA in writing of its proposed visits, of which the organisation took cognisance. In its response, Agri SA informed the HSRC about its Protocol for Farm Access and that, in terms of the protocol, a prior appointment would have to be made to visit a farm. The HSRC was also requested to contact Agri SA’s provincial affiliates to inform them of the survey. Relevant information regarding the survey has already been made available to the affiliates.
PARLIAMENTARY REPORT 8 – 19 OCTOBER 2007
Annelize Crosby, Parliamentary representative, Adviser: Legal and Land Affairs
Submission to Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Land Affairs
Annual Reports: Agricultural Research Council (ARC, National Marketing Council and Department of Agriculture
The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and the National Marketing Council both submitted their respective Annual Reports to the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Land Affairs on 11 October 2007. Dr Shadrack Moephuli, Chief Executive Officer of the ARC, made a presentation, spelling out the mandate of the ARC as well as specific objectives of the organisation. The ARC regards it as its role to add maximum value to primary agricultural products within the agricultural value chain, and also to promote sustainable use of natural resources, to conduct research regarding climate change, to help eradicate pests and to help expand and develop markets for agricultural products. The ARC has, among other things, trained 35 farmers in Limpopo in business technology and business skills to enable them to become involved in the bio-fuel industry. The ARC has adopted a new course of action and is in the process of improving its internal systems.
Mr Tshelilo Ramabulana, the Chief Executive Officer of the Marketing Council dealt with their submission. A new Council was appointed recently, with Ms Ntombi Msimang as chair and Dr Karaan as vice-chair. Mr Ramabulana presented the Marketing Council’s mandate and programmes to the Committee. He said the Council was struggling with budget constraints. A new Marketing Act was being drafted and would be published within the next few months. This follows the recommendations made by the Marketing Review Committee. A lively discussion on food prices followed. Dr Mohammed Karaan warned that there would probably be food price increases during the next few years and that it would therefore be necessary to continue monitoring such prices. The Marketing Council has marketing development programmes in place for grain, oil seed, citrus and red meat. Feedback was provided on the funds collected through statutory levies. R149 million was collected in this way, of which 42% was spent on research, 17% on projects for emerging farmers, 15% on information and 10% on export promotion. A summary was also provided regarding the financial position of the different industry trusts.
The Department of Agriculture presented its Annual Report to the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Land Affairs on 16 October 2007. The Director-General, Mr Masipula Mbongwa, made the presentation. He said the Department had allowed its activities to be led by the vision for the sector as set out in the Strategic Plan for Agriculture and reported on the different programmes in which the Department is involved. He said there was a special programme for food security and that 66 000 households had received starter packs. He added that the AgriBEE Charter had now been finalised and published. A section 12 process will probably now follow in terms of which a Code would be developed for agriculture. A draft Disaster Management Plan has been developed. The DG said the Department would have to improve its inspection and quarantine services. During question time Mr Mbongwa referred to the Agri SA Congress where he had been a speaker, and also to the inputs made by Drs Van Zyl and Kirsten during the Congress. He made specific mention of the report of the Harvard group of economists who had emphasised the importance of government support for the agricultural sector. The chairperson asked about unity within the sector with reference to the conflict between the Ministry and organised agriculture. The DG said there were certain rules within the Presidential Working Group, one of which is that parties should as far as possible avoid making negative and harmful statements and should instead try to resolve their differences internally. He referred to the new forum that had been established where role players in the sector would be represented and would try to reach consensus. He said this was a positive development. It was also reported that an inquiry had been conducted into extension services in the light of certain recommendations, which are now being implemented. New extension officers are being trained at present. Attie Swart said the Sector Plan for Agriculture was being reviewed. The Department had made good progress with the implementation of the Sector Plan and various sector strategies adopted by the grain, wine, fruit and other industries serve as proof that progress had indeed been made in this regard.
Department of Land Affairs’ report, with recommendations on foreign landownership
On 17 October 2007 Dr Sipho Sibanda of the Department of Land Affairs made a presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Land Affairs regarding the report containing recommendations on foreign land ownership. He dealt briefly with the findings in the report, which indicate that between 1% and 3% of South African land is owned by foreigners, depending on the type of land involved. The figures represent an estimate since it is unknown how much land is owned by foreign companies in the form of trusts and companies. According to the report, 27,45% of all farms are owned by companies, CCs and trusts. The value of these farms, however, comprises 78,09% of the total value of all farms in South Africa. The report recommended that owners should be compelled to disclose information regarding their race and gender. A heated debate followed, with the DA adopting a strong stance against such a step. Even some ANC members of the Committee warned that the matter should be handled in a very sensitive manner. It was also recommended that a two-year moratorium be placed on the alienation of state land in favour of foreigners and that Ministerial consent should be obtained for certain transactions. The report was published for commentary.
RSG LandbouNuus
Agri SA, MPO SA en Graan SA is gesamentlik verantwoordelik vir die RSG LandbouNuus program wat van Maandag tot Donderdag tussen 12:30 en 12:45 op RSG uitgesaai word. ‘n Seleksie van die week se programme word nou Donderdagoggende om 04:30 uitgesaai. Die program word ondersteun deur borge en bevat aktuele landbounuus en aktualiteitsbesprekings en op Maandae en Donderdae word daar kortliks na die weer gekyk.
Erkenning word aan die volgende borge en medewerkers gegee- wat van die program ‘n sukses help maak: Agri SA, MPO, Graan SA, Agri Connect, Agri Bonus, Phizer, UniGrain, Cape Wools’ SA, The Maize Trust, Olie Advieskomitee, Voermol, Sanlam Cobalt, Vodacom en Pannar.
AgriTV
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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