Question NW3934 to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesQUESTION
13 December 2017 - NW3934
Steyn, Ms A to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesQUESTION
(1) With reference to his reply to question 2696 on 2 October 2017, (a) what is the name of the person who requested the inquiry, (b) on what date was the request made, (c) what progress has the committee of inquiry made to date and (d) what is the expected date of finalisation of the committee of inquiry; (2) whether he has found that the registration of the Black Boerboel has caused any reputational damage to South African boerboel breeders; if so, what (a) are the relevant details and (b) steps will he take to protect the image of the breeders?
Reply:
1. (a) The department cannot disclose the names of persons/complainants in line with confidentiality provision (section 19) of the Animal Improvement Act, 1998.
(b) The first complaint was received was received late in 2016. Several other complaints were subsequently received from a range of interested parties.
(c) Section 22 of the Animal Improvement, 1998 provides for the Minister to exercise his discretion in terms of appointing a Committee to investigate the complaint. The Minister is still in the process of considering whether to appoint such a Committee. If a decision is made to appoint such a Committee, the Minister will notify the South African Boerboel Breeders and other complainants as contemplated in Section 22 (2) of the Act.
(d) The Animal Improvement Act does not provide for specific deadlines for the Committee to conclude its work, however, to achieve a fair administrative process, the Minister will request the Committee, if appointed, to conclude its work within ninety (90) days.
2. The department has not undertaken a comprehensive process to factually confirm or deny any reputational damage suffered by the South African Boerboel Breeders as a result of the black Boerboels being sold and even exported from South Africa. To achieve this, the Department will, early in 2018, initiate a consultative process with the relevant industry role players.