Negotiating Mandates on Animal Improvement Bill [B28-98], Marine Living Resources Bill [B 94B-97] & Land Bank Amendment Bill [B1

Meeting Summary

A summary of this committee meeting is not yet available.

Meeting report

Monitor: Joanne Boulle (Geogsoc)

LAND, AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE
4 May 1998
NEGOTIATING MANDATES ON ANIMAL IMPROVEMENT BILL [B 28-98], MARINE LIVING RESOURCES BILL [B 94B-97] AND LAND BANK AMENDMENT BILL [B108B-97]

Documents handed out
Land Bank Act, 1994 (Act No. 13 of 1944)
Livestock Legislation in South Africa - Adapting to Change
Standing Committee on Economic Development (Eastern Cape)
Land Bank Amendment Bill
Marine Living Resources Bill
These bills can be found at http://www.polity.org.za/gnu/gnuindex.html

(1) Animal Improvement Bill:
Mr Keith Ramsay (Registrar of Livestock Improvement) introduced some of the issues behind this bill as well as the reasons for its importance (refer to document on Animal Improvement in South Africa). Following his introduction, the discussion was opened to the floor for further comment.
The following questions and concerns were raised:

* Dr Gous (Free State - Freedom Front) expressed his concern over the fate of the emerging (disadvantaged) farmers. He noted that approximately one third of South Africa’s cattle are in the hands of these individuals. Until now, a lot of cross-breeding has occurred between the breeds belonging to these farmers so that the quality of the products from these animals has decreased with time. He suggested that emerging farmers be provided with bulls at an affordable price so that the quality of their cattle can be upgraded.

* The KZN representative, Mr Moorcroft (DP), commented on the threat of urban drift to cattle value because of the reduced area of land available for farming.

* Ms Mothoagae (Northwest- ANC) raised the issue of animal welfare in increasing cattle yields.

* Concern was also expressed about the possibility that the bill would raise the expectations of farmers, especially disadvantaged farmers, and that these expectations would possibly not be met. If this were to happen, it would be likely that farmers would return to their original ways of farming since they would perceive no advantage in following the new ideas of the bill. The question was also posed as to how the genetic potential of breeds could be evaluated without huge costs being involved.

* Mr Bhengu (KZN - IFP) raised the following concerns: (1) Who will be financially responsible for animal improvement?
(2) Emerging farmers will not be able to afford to register themselves as stock farmers. He asked whether any changes had been brought about to try to simplify the transition process for the emerging farmers. He also suggested that there be incentives to encourage farmers who are unlikely to benefit from the implementation of the bill in the short-term.

Mr Ramsay responded to these queries by saying that specific schemes would be introduced to aid the emerging farmers. With respect to concerns over the financial implications of the bill, he felt that the long-term benefits of the bill would include the proper management of South Africa’s natural resources. This in itself was seen by him as a worthwhile reason for financial investment so as to avoid an ecological disaster. People should be encouraged to offer financial subsidies with these long-term benefits in mind. He commented that animal welfare had been considered and would be addressed.

* Dr Gous then made a proposal to the committee that they, as a committee, should make a recommendation to the department of Agriculture that the bill be tabled in conjunction with a practical scheme to help emerging farmers. He also recommended that the exact financial costs of implementation be tabled at the same time.

* The Northern Cape representative emphasised the importance of involving all farmers and encouraging them. He asked whether the consultative process used before drawing up the bill had in fact included the emerging farmers as well.

Mr Ramsay responded that the consultative process had been a very difficult one and that although they may not have involved everyone in discussions, they had sent drafts of the bill to the provinces for discussion and had done their best to inform as many people as possible about the proposals.

* KZN representative (Mr Moorcroft) commented on the importance of verbal communication to inform particularly the emerging farmers.

Land Bank Amendment Bill:
Two representatives form the Land Bank were present. Following an introduction from the chairperson (Mr Nogumla - ANC), Dr Gous (Free State- Freedom Front) opened the discussion by commenting that all of the proposed amendments to the bill were merely technicalities and grammatical errors and were not concerned with the fundamental ideas proposed by the bill. All the provinces agreed with this. Dr Gous went on to comment on the absence of Mpumalanga and Northern Province and suggested that their absence be documented. He also suggested that a letter be written to each of these two provinces requesting an explanation for their absence and for their failure to present a written mandate.

The number of written mandates present at the meeting were registered. A total of 5 mandates were counted. The following provinces expressed their support of the proposed amendments:
KwaZulu Natal
Western Cape
North- West
Free State
Northern Cape

The chairperson proposed that another meeting be scheduled to give the other province a chance to present their own mandates. The provinces that were present but did not have written mandates made the same request. At first, the province who had presented their mandates argued that this would only delay the process. They felt that a quorum had been reached and that the meeting should not be delayed to another date. They mentioned the financial implications and the inconvenience of having to attend another meeting. However with persistence from Mr Nogumla, it was eventually decided that formal voting would only take place at the next meeting so that the provinces not present would have the opportunity to present their mandates.

The next meeting will be held on 06/05/98.

Marine Living Resources Bill:
Two representatives from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism were present as well as Mr Prinsloo, the State Law Advisor.

The Department said that they did not want to propose any amendments to the bill.

Mark Wyllie (Western Cape) stated that the Department had previously admitted that there were omissions from the bill and that the legislation was in fact defective. He expressed his anger at the refusal of the Department to assist the process.

It was then suggested that the province put forward their proposed amendments so that the Department could respond to these.

Mr Wyllie disagreed with this suggestion saying that the Department was wrong in not bringing the known deficiencies in the bill to the attention of the committee. The chairperson asked whether the Department had anything that they wanted to add. Mr Prinsloo stated that any deficiencies in the bill were only technicalities and that these could be addressed at a later stage.

Mr de Wet (Eastern Cape) commented on the need to finalise certain aspects concerning the bill Before Monday 11/05/98. He said that while it was important that the legislation be passed, it was also important not to bypass important omissions from the bill which would cause problems later. He asked whether it was possible to address the proposed amendments and still have the bill passed by Monday.

The question was avoided and the chairperson suggested that the provinces propose their amendments.

The Eastern Cape, KZN and the Western Cape seemed to agree that there were certain omissions in the bill which needed to be addressed. Some were technicalities and grammatical changes but others seemed to be fundamental issues which had been neglected. Mr Wyllie seemed continually shocked at the refusal of the Department to assist the process by bringing some of the known deficiencies before the committee. He expressed his dissatisfaction at the way in which the meeting was being handled.

After each of the provinces had proposed their amendments (amendments were proposed only by Eastern Cape, KZN and Western Cape), it was decided to have another meeting where the issues could be further discussed. Some of the issues which were dealt with were as follows:

* Clause 24 and the omission of recreational fishers seemed to be an issue of importance and was pursued by the Western Cape, KZN and the Eastern Cape.

* The Eastern Cape mentioned that the bill’s definition of South African waters did not include estuaries.

* Mark Wyllie said (with respect to Section 7 dealing with the proposed establishment of a consultative advisory forum) he felt it was important that some of the members on this forum be scientists owing to the highly specialised nature of marine science. The Department did not seem to agree, saying that this became restrictive. What about economic and sociological advice?

MR Wyllie was asked to table his amendments and any other comments before the end of the day so that each of the other provinces would have sufficient opportunity to familiarise themselves with the contents before the next meeting. Mr Nogumla said that although there was no official slot for the meeting, they would try to schedule one for 06/05/98.

It was also interesting to note that after the meeting, there was a fairly heated exchange of words between on of the provincial representatives and the representatives from the Department and even during the meeting, the animosity felt by some of the provinces towards what the Department had said was very evident.

Appendix 1:

LIVESTOCK LEGISLATION IN SOUTH AFRICA- ADAPTING TO CHANGE

* 1920 - Pedigree Livestock Act (Act 22) - Only made provision for
the registration of pedigrees - no provision for necessary technical
services - performance testing, Al etc.. - Amended in 1957, 1962,
1967
* AI Act, 1954 (Act 23) - started to make provision but was soon outdated - Amended in 1959, 1962, 1969
* Prohibition of Export of Ostriches Act, 1963 (Act 18)
* Livestock Improvement Act, 1963 (Act 74) - Started to consolidate
* Livestock Improvement Act, 1977(Act 25) - Consolidated all legislation
* Livestock Improvement Bill, 1998 – Making Legislation farmer friendly and addressing many unacceptable inequalities

What is Livestock Improvement?
* The identification and use of genetically superior animals to improve reproduction and production
* The use of modern animal breeding technology to speed up improvement

Livestock Improvement
* Increased Milk Production
* Reduced fiber thickness of wool
* Increased wool production
* More efficient beef production
* More effective mutton production
* Better broiler production
* More effective pork production
* More effective egg production

Why?
* Food security - improved production from dwindling resources
* To make farming with animals effective and profitable
* To sell genetic material -locally and Internationally
* To ensure that animal production is sustainable

What do we want to improve?
* ADAPTABILITY
* FERTILITY
* MEAT PRODUCTION
* MILK PRODUCTION
* MILK COMPOSITION
* EGG PRODUCTION
* FIBRE PRODUCTION
* EFFICIENT USE OF FOOD
* TOLERANCE OF DISEASES AND PARASITES

How do we improve?
* By measuring
* By setting standards
* By identifying performers
* By using identified performers
* By excluding poor performers
* By making performers available to all stock owners
* By using modern technology and broadening access to this
technology

HOW IS THIS DONE?
BY REGULATING THE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY ACCORDING TO INTERNATIONAL NORMS AND STANDARDS
*
BREED SOCIETIES
* LEGAL REGISTERING AUTH0RITY TO CERTIFY PEDIGREES
* REGULATING IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF GENETIC MATERIAL
BY REGULATING THE ARTIFICIAL PRODUCTION INDUSTRY
* BY MAKING ALL SERVICES ACCESSIBLE TO ALL STOCK OWNERS
* BY ESTABLISHING PERFORMANCE TESTING SCHEMES TO IDENTIFY SUPERIOR ANIMALS

CAN THE EXISTING LEGISLATION MEET WITH ALL THESE CRITERIA?
* Importation of genetic material restricted to registered stud breeders
* Unfair protection of the local AI industry- collection and sale of semen
* Protection of Stud Book
* Insufficient regulation of the embryo industry
* Over regulation of most artificial reproduction activities
* Indigenous livestock open to overseas exploitation
* Open Importation
* Deregulation of the AI industry
* Provision for more than one registering authority
* Regulation of the Embryo industry
* Deregulation of activities- optional registration
* Protection of Landrace breeds

New Legislation will
PROTECT
* Against the introduction of harmful and undesirable genetic abnormalities
* Against the erosion of Indigenous livestock resources
* Against unqualified persons performing embryo transfers

GUARANTEE
* The quality of SA landraces
* Proficiency of Embryo collectors
* The Bonafides of Breed Societies
* SA’s bonafides in terms of International agreements on farm animal genetic resources

TO PROTECT THE STOCK OWNER AND TO GIVE CREDIBILITY TO SOUTH
AFRICAN FARM ANIMAL GENETICS
GENETIC MATERIAL
OPERATORS
DONOR ANIMALS
CENTRES
STANDARDS

PERFORMANCE TESTING AND THE BILL
* WRITTEN GUARANTEES
* OVERSEAS COMPETITION
* AFRICA MARKET FOR ADAPTED EXOTIC BREEDS
* EBV'S FOR SPECIFIC TRAITS

Landraces
*
An Indigenous or locally developed breed
* Large numbers of indigenous breeds are owned by the previously disadvantaged and resource poor sector
* These owners must be given access to Improvement services and to markets - both locally and abroad

 Landrace breeds
Indigenous:
*Afrikander cattle
*Boer goat
*Unimproved goat
*Pedi sheep
*Indigenous chickens
*Indigenous pigs
Locally Developed:
*Nguni cattle
*SA Ostrich
*Bonsmara cattle
*Drakensberger cattle
*Dorper sheep
*SA Koekoek chicken
*Dohne Merino sheep
*Van Rooy sheep

Landrace Breeds - Pedi Sheep
*
Hardy adapted breed
* Fertile
* Fat tail has added value
* Local and International Interest
* Scope for improvement

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