Environmental & Tourism Dept; Water & Forestry Dept: briefing

Meeting report

LAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE
08 February 2000
BRIEFINGS BY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS & TOURISM AND DEPARTMENT OF WATER AFFAIRS AND FORESTRY

SUMMARY
The Committee was briefed by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) and by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry on their upcoming programs.

Mr F Mashamba of DEAT informed the Committee of two Tourism Amendment Bills. The first, B50-99, is still in the National Assembly. It deals with the registration and qualifications of tourist guides and the establishment of a national register. A second Tourism Amendment Bill, B3-2000, will deal with the composition of the boards. There is a proposal to reduce the maximum number of members from 25 to 15, and the minimum number from 20 to 9.

Briefings need to be scheduled on the following topics:

1.The legal reform process

2.Claims relating to asbestos

3.DEAT business plan

4.African Euro-Asian Waterbird Agreement.

This was signed in November 1999 and is related to the CITES Convention.

1.Genetically Modified Products

2.Environmental days - exhibitions to be held in parliament.

The committee expressed concern over the asbestos issues and there was a suggestion to invite the provincial committee chairs to that briefing. Rev. Moatshe said that they would try to schedule this briefing for when the delegates returned from the provinces next week.

Next, Mr M Miller and Mr J Mawala, the Director General and the Acting Deputy Director General from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry informed the committee of two upcoming Bills. Both are of a technical nature.

1.Amendment of National Forest Act. At present this is still with the State Law Advisors.

2.There is a proposed amendment to the National Water Act. This is still to be submitted to the State Law Advisors.