Question NW644 to the MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
05 April 2016 - NW644
Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
With reference to the WWF-SA 2015 report on Agricultural Facts and Figures, which indicates that 5 million hectares of South African crop land have already been acidified as a result of indiscriminate use of synthetic fertilizers resulting in the rapid decrease of arable land in South Africa, what is his department doing to (a) strictly regulate the use of synthetic chemicals and (b) promote sustainable and ecologically sound agricultural practices? WRITTEN REPLY QUESTION 644/ NW759E MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: MR N PAULSEN (EFF) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES QUESTION With reference to the WWF-SA 2015 report on Agricultural Facts and Figures, which indicates that 5 million hectares of South African crop land have already been acidified as a result of indiscriminate use of synthetic fertilizers resulting in the rapid decrease of arable land in South Africa, what is his department doing to (a) strictly regulate the use of synthetic chemicals and (b) promote sustainable and ecologically sound agricultural practices? NW759E REPLY Fertilizers are registered in terms of Fertilizers, Farm feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act No. 36 of 1947. Section 3:2(a) requires that any fertilizer in respect of which registration is applied for is suitable, and sufficiently effective for the purposes for which is intended, and complies with such requirements as may be prescribed and that it is not contrary to the public interest that it be registered. Any registration shall be subject to the prescribed and additional conditions as may be determined by the Registrar through fertilizer regulations and various guidelines. The Department is promoting the land care programme, organic farming and conservation agriculture. These interventions are aimed at contributing towards sustainable utilisation of agricultural resources.
Reply:
(a) Fertilizers are registered in terms of Fertilizers, Farm feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act No. 36 of 1947. Section 3:2(a) requires that any fertilizer in respect of which registration is applied for is suitable, and sufficiently effective for the purposes for which is intended, and complies with such requirements as may be prescribed and that it is not contrary to the public interest that it be registered. Any registration shall be subject to the prescribed and additional conditions as may be determined by the Registrar through fertilizer regulations and various guidelines.
(b) The Department is promoting the land care programme, organic farming and conservation agriculture. These interventions are aimed at contributing towards sustainable utilisation of agricultural resources.