Agricultural Produce Agents Amendment Bill

The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development invites you to submit written comments and indicate interest in making an oral submission on the Agricultural Produce Agents Amendment Bill [B33 – 2020]

The Agricultural Produce Agents Amendment Bill seeks to amend the Agricultural Produce Agents Act, 1992, so as to
▪ refine certain definitions;
▪ provide for certain provisions of the Act,
▪ apply to all categories of agents;
▪ clarify the appointment and responsibilities of the registrar;
▪ provide for financial statements of the council to be audited by the Auditor-General;
▪ provide for insurance of the Fidelity Fund;
▪ further clarify the conditions for acting as an agent;
▪ provide for trust accounts for export agents;
▪ provide for insurance by export and fresh produce agents; and to provide for matters connected therewith.

Comments can be emailed to Ms Albertina Kakaza at [email protected] by no later than Friday, 9 April 2021.

In addition to the written comments, please indicate your interest in making a verbal presentation

Enquiries can be directed to Ms Albertina Kakaza on cell 083 709 8391

Issued by Nkosi ZMD Mandela; Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.

Background
The Agricultural Produce Agents Act, 1992 (Act No. 12 of 1992) (‘‘principal Act’’), as amended by the Agricultural Produce Agents Amendment Act, 2003 (Act No. 47 of 2003), provides for the establishment of the Agricultural Produce Agents Council (‘‘APAC’’), the Fresh Produce Agents Fidelity Fund (‘‘Fidelity Fund’’) in respect of agricultural produce agents and the control of certain activities of agricultural produce agents. The objects of the APAC are to regulate the occupations of fresh produce, export and livestock agents and to maintain and enhance the status and dignity of those occupations and the integrity of persons practicing those occupations. The functions of the APAC include the formulation of policy and the establishment of rules and codes of conduct. In preparation for the publication of the Agricultural Produce Agents Amendment Bill, 2020 (‘‘Bill’’), the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (‘‘Department’’) consulted widely with and obtained inputs from representatives of agents, industry stakeholders and organisations, as well as the APAC.