Question NW127 to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Reply:

(a),(b),(c),(d),(e),(f) The indigenous/landrace breeds such the boergoat, dorper, dormer, Afrikaner, Nguni and Bonsmara cattle are declared as animals in terms of the Animal Improvement Act, 1998 (Act 62 of 1998). The measures in place to protect these indigenous landrace breeds is through declaration in terms of the Animal Improvement Act, 1998 (Act 62 of 1998). The declaration is to ensure that animals and other indigenous breeds including their wild relatives (farmed game) are declared so as to contribute to food security and agriculture in addition to ownership of these breeds by the Republic of South Africa.

Further protection of these indigenous landrace breeds also includes sustainable utilisation and conservation of these breeds at the different Livestock Development Centres (LDCs) at different provinces. Examples of these centres are Mara Research Station, which houses Bonsmara breed and Nguni ecotypes viz. Bapedi, Shangaan and Venda types, North West Livestock Improvement Centres i.e. Noyjons/Machavie, Kliekuil, Armoesvlagte which keeps Afrikaner, Nguni, Bonsmara breeds and indigenous goats.

The operations at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) are also of value in terms of assisting with continuous research, development and technology transfer that enables supply of superior genetic material of indigenous genetic resources to support farmers and ensure sustainable utilization and ex- and in- situ conservation.

International Agreement/Treaty

At international level, the protection of these animals is in line with the United Nations (UN) Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) to which South Africa is a signatory. CBD bestows sovereignty of these animals and their related genetic resources to the Republic. Intellectual property right is therefore vested in South Africa, which implies that rights of breeders and local communities/farmers that are custodians of most indigenous breeds are recognised. There is however no Material Transfer Agreement in place at the moment, but these animal records are maitained in South Africa on the national database, the Integrated Registration and Genetic Information System ( INTERGIS).

Export process

Export of these Indigenous/Landrace breeds and related genetic materials (embryo, semen, etc.) is executed in collaboration with the specified recognised breeds’ societies. This involves recommendation by the breeders’ society for export of animals including related genetic materials, but the final decision rests with the Registrar of the Animal Improvement Act, 1998 (Act 62 of 1998. The export process is also concluded on genetic merits of the animals, related pedigree that is recorded and traceable through the INTERGIS. It should be noted that no applications are processed without consultation with the relevant breeders’ societies. This ensures continued data recording and participation of these animal records on the INTERGIS even when these animals are in the recipeint countries.