Questions & Replies: Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries

(2) Whether her department has developed an Agricultural Drought Management Plan (ADMP); if not, why not; if so,

The Agricultural Drought Management Plan has been developed.

(3) Whether this plan is currently being implemented; if not, why not; if so, what are the names of the persons involved in the management of the programme;

The Plan has to be presented to Cabinet Clusters before implementation.

(4) Whether any disasters involving the agricultural sector have been declared since 2009?

Disasters involving the agricultural sector have been and continue to be declared through the Disaster Management Act (Act 57 of 2002) in all the nine (9) provinces.

If not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, what was the extent of her department's assistance to each disaster;

The department (i) provides technical support to affected provinces regarding the undertaking of disaster assessments to quantify the damages and losses, (ii) facilitates the funding request from National Treasury through participation in the relevant structures of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) (iii) establishes Disaster Assistance Schemes through which assistance is distributed to affected farming communities (iv) implements capacity building and awareness programmes as well as conducts research on risk reduction measures for prevention, preparedness and mitigation in compliance with the Disaster Management Act (Act 57 of 2002).

(5) Whether any financial assistance to disaster areas are still outstanding; if not, how was this conclusion reached;

There is no outstanding financial disaster assistance. Allocations have been made to provinces in terms of approved business plans.

Reply received: May 2012

QUESTION 982

Question 982 for Written reply: National Assembly, Mr P van Dalen (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

(1) With reference to an email sent to Mr P van Dalen on 17 March 2012 (details furnished), (a) who advised the official and (b) to what protocol procedures does she refer that were not followed;

(2) For what reason is Mr P van Dalen advised to arrange a meeting with the Fisheries Branch when he specifically requested to meet with the official concerned? NW1158E

REPLY:

(1) In terms of protocol the Honourable Mr P van Dalen is expected to advise the DG who is the accounting officer of the Department about his intention to visit the Branch: Fisheries Management for oversight purposes. Unfortunately, this was not done.

(2) Response in question (1) above is also applicable in this regard.

Reply received: May 2012

QUESTION 956

Question 956 for written reply: National Assembly, Mr P van Dalen (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

(1) What are her department's time frames for the eight state-owned merchant vessels to be registered as naval vessels and removed from the SA Maritime Safety Authority's register of vessels;

(2) How will (a) fishery control officers and (b) researchers be permitted to function on board naval vessels;

(3) Whether any plans have been put in place to ensure a smooth handover with regard to the research functions that have been carried out by Smit Amandla Marine; if not why not; if so, what plans? NW1132E

REPLY:

(1) The vessels have been registered under the Defence Act as naval vessels since 4 April 2012 and arrangements are being made to remove them from the SAMSA register.

(2) An agreement has been signed by the two Departments that the DAFF staff will be allowed to lead the scientific work while SAN staff will be responsible for vessel operations and safety. SAN staff are subject to the Military Disciplinary Code and DAFF staff are subject to disciplinary provisions under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.

(3) It has been agreed by the two departments that the normal research programme, while slightly delayed, will proceed. The first cruise, a 25 day demersal survey of the South Coast on the Africana, departed on 25 April 2012.

Reply received: May 2012

QUESTION 948

Question 948 for written reply: National Assembly, Mr G B D Mc Intosh (Cope) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

Whether she has visited the ostrich farming areas of the Eastern and Western Cape to assess the impact of bird flu on the industry and the economies of the affected towns and regions; if not, why not; if so, on (a) how many occasions and (b) what dates did she pay such visits? NW1123E

REPLY:

No, I have however directed my Department to visit the affected areas and to interact with the industry and authorities in order for them to develop means to control the outbreak of the disease, to limit its impact on the industry and to prevent future occurrence.

In addition I meet regularly with the respective MEC's, all of whom are in constant contact with industry representatives, and provide me with reports on the matter.

Reply received: May 2012

QUESTION 944

Question 944 for written reply: National Assembly, Mr G B D Mc Intosh (Cope) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

Whether the Chief Director of Veterinary Services has visited the Ostrich Farming areas of the Eastern and Western Cape since January 2011; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how many visits were made, (b) when were these visits made and (c) for what purpose were they made? NW1119E

REPLY

Yes. The Director Animal Health and the Chief Directors of Veterinary Services of both the Eastern and Western Cape Provinces have been several times to the Ostrich farming areas of the provinces. Over and above that, the directorate's officials have visited the Ostrich industry on numerous occasions since the start of the outbreak in April 2011. The Directorate also has an official who is almost permanently stationed in Oudtshoorn since April.

The main purpose of these visits have been the control of the outbreak and discussions with both Industry and the WC veterinary Authorities on the situation and how best to control the current outbreak and most importantly, how to prevent future incursions of the virus, and to limit its impact on the industry.

Reply received: May 2012

QUESTION 924

Question 924 for written reply: National Assembly, Mr P van Dalen (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

(1) Whether she has instituted an independent committee of enquiry into the procurement processes and procedures within her department; if so, (a) who are the members of the committee, (b) how were they selected, (c) what is the terms of reference of the committee and (d) what is the scope of its authority;

(2) Whether the committee has started its work; if not, why not; if so, when is it expected that the committee will release its final report of findings and recommendations;

(3) Whether there is a moratorium on awarding any further contracts until the committee has finalised their work; if not, why not; if so, (a) how will this affect the operation of her department and (b) what measures has she put in place in this regard to ensure the effective operation of her department's functions? NW1106E

REPLY:

(1) No. We are however working closely with the Department of Justice and the Presidency regarding the investigation, and preliminary steps have been taken. The objective is to investigate whether there has been any impropriety and possible fraud in the supply chain management processes under the Fisheries Branch of the Department.

(2) N/A

(3) No. The work of the Department must proceed while the investigation continues.

(a) N/A

(b) N/A

(c) N/A

Reply received: April 2012

QUESTION 919

DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY, 20 APRIL 2012 [IQP No 09-2012] FOURTH SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT

Question 919 for written reply: National Assembly, Mr P van Dalen (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

1. Whether her department has commissioned a report on the twelve fishing harbours in the Western Cape; if not, why not; if so, (a) what were the costs involved in compiling this report, (b) when was the report compiled, (c) what were the findings and recommendations contained in the report and (d) when will the report be made public;

2. Whether, in line with the findings and recommendations of the report, she will take any steps to restore these harbours; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details, including the time frames in which the harbours will be renovated? NW1101E

REPLY:

1. Yes. The Department commissioned a report on the twelve fishing harbours in the Western Cape

(a) The study cost R4.8 million.

(b)The process started in November 2007 and was completed in June

2008.

(c) The report made outlined several key findings and recommendations.

A copy of the report can be obtained from the Fisheries Branch. A summary of the key findings is as follows:

· There is inadequate and poor maintenance of infrastructure within harbours.

· Ineffective lease management.

· Lack of on-site management.

· Poor communication with stakeholders.

· Inadequate security.

· Land of planning and coordination.

(d) The report has already been made public.

(2)Yes. An inter-departmental Harbours Steering Committee has been

established to implement the findings and recommendations of the

Harbour Feasibility Study. Implementation plans with timeframes will be

developed for each harbour.

Reply received: May 2012

QUESTION 879

DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY, 20 APRIL 2012 [IQP No 09 -2012] FOURTH SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT

QUESTION 879 FOR WRITTEN REPLY: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, MRS A STEYN (DA) ASK THE MISNISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES

(1) Whether she has been informed of independent tests being conducted to establish if the vaccines (a) Smithburn and (b) Clone 13 produced by Onderstepoort Biological Products Ltd (OBP) is still effective to combat Rift Valley fever; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what actions were taken to assist OBP in establishing the effectiveness of vaccines;

(2) What steps are being taken (a) by her department to deal with the potential consequences of defective vaccines for the agricultural sector and (b) to ensure that the spread of Rift Valley fever is contained? NW1057E

REPLY:

(1) The Minister has not received any official report on independent tests that are being conducted; however the department has been briefed by industry on such concerns. Onderstepoort Biological Products has confirmed that both vaccines are effective to combat Rift Valley Fever and therefore no remedial steps are necessary.

(2) The Directorate of Agricultural inputs registers all vaccines used in animals. The registration process ensures that all vaccines are subjected to safety, efficacy and potency tests to protect the animal population and users of such vaccines against false claims. The registration process requires that the vaccines should be subjected to continuous assessments to ensure that the quality is maintained. It is required that all dispensed vaccines be accompanied by an insert guiding the users on usage. The inserts should be very clear in terms of how, when and how much vaccine must be used. Storage instructions are also contained in these inserts.

Reply received: May 2012

QUESTION 877

DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY, 20 APRIL 2012 [IQP No 09 -2012] FOURTH SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT

QUESTION 877 FOR WRITTEN REPLY: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, MRS A STEYN (DA) ASK THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES

(1) Whether her department conducts regular testing for contagious abortions (Brucellosis) in cattle; if not, why not; if so, (a) how regularly is testing done in each municipality in each province, (b) how many animals were (i) tested, (ii) inoculated and (iii) not tested in the past two financial years for which information is available;

(2) whether any animals tested positive for Brucellosis in the past two financial years; if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, (a) how many animals tested positive, (b) in which local municipal areas and (c) what actions were taken in each case;

(3) whether her department conducts any education drives for cattle owners regarding the spread and infection of Brucellosis; if not, why not; if so, (a) what kind of information and (b)(i) how and (ii) in which municipal areas is the information distributed;

(4) whether cattle auctioneers have been instructed to accept only cattle which her department has certified to be free of Brucellosis; if not, why not; if so, in which municipal areas is this taking place;

(5) whether her department conducts inspections at cattle auctioneers to ensure that auctioneers comply with the directive to ensure the auctioning of cattle that was certified to be free of Brucellosis; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1055E

REPLY

(1)Testing of animals for brucellosis, as a controlled animal disease, is done by the provincial State veterinary authorities in the provincial Departments of Agriculture. Testing of cattle for Bovine Brucellosis is according to legislation supposed to be done annually in herds that are negative. However the animals are tested on an agreed interval which is not longer than every three months in infected herds. The information that is used for disease control purposes does not take into account the number of individual animals tested, but herds tested. The table below breaks down the number of herds which tested positive in the past two years:

(2) As indicated above, for disease control purposes we look at the number of herds which were tested, and those that are positive.

The normal tests done are laboratory sero-tests. There are international cut off values for when you can declare an animal infected and when it's considered negative, these are similarly applied in these instances. A map on the distribution of infected areas is attached below.

Brucellosis is a controlled disease in terms of the Animal Diseases Act. Herds that are testing positive are put under quarantine until they have gotten rid of the infection. Infected animals are branded with a C on the neck for permanent identification and animals from these herds can ONLY be sold to the abattoir for slaughter.

(3) The Department, together with the Provincial counterparts, has constant awareness campaigns on different subject matters. The Department has developed pamphlets to educate the public which are distributed mainly at agricultural shows and meetings though out the country.

(4) Animals that test positive for Brucellosis are C brand marked on the neck. These animals are therefore clearly identifiable and only leave the farm under cover of a red-cross permit to

an abattoir for slaughter. These animals are slaughtered under supervision with specific instructions on handling. It is normal practice therefore that these animals are not marketed through an auction system.

(5) The Department is usually represented by provincial officials at auctions to ensure that animals are inspected. The Department can therefore not guarantee that officials are present at all auctions in the country. It is envisaged that all c marked animals will be kept out of the auction system in this fashion.

Reply received: May 2012

QUESTION 863

DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY, 20 APRIL 2012 [IQP No 09 -2012] FOURTH SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT

QUESTION 863 FOR WRITTEN REPLY: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, DR P J RABIE (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES

(a) What is the total number of (i) large (aa) stock and (bb) game and (ii) small (aa) stock and (bb) game that died of Rift Valley Fever in 2011 and (b) what measures has her department taken to prevent future outbreaks of this disease?NW1040E

REPLY:

(a) Reported deaths during 2011 RVF outbreak:

No RVF outbreaks were reported during 2012 up to date.

(b) RVF can only be prevented by proper preventative vaccination before the occurrence of outbreaks of the disease. This disease in South Africa is mosquito dependent which is strongly influenced by environmental and climatic factors and is therefore highly seasonal in occurrence. No RVF outbreaks were reported during 2012 up to date.

Awareness campaigns were initiated at the beginning of the outbreaks in 2010 and are on-going. Owners were also advised through media statements to vaccinate their animals. A TV programme to advice farmers was also done in conjunction with the Department of Health. The Department has pamphlets which are distributed at Agricultural shows.

Reply received: May 2012

QUESTION 847

Question 847 for written reply: National Assembly, Mr van Dalen to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

(1) Whether she met with any representatives of a certain company (name furnished) in Sweden in December 2009; if so, (a) with whom did she meet, (b) who accompanied her and (c) what was the agenda for the meeting;

(2) Whether a certain company (name furnished) or any of its subsidiaries were linked to the Sekunjalo tender; if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1024E

REPLY:

(1) This matter has been referred to the Office of the Public Protector and her report will be made available once concluded.

(2) No. The Department never issued any "Sekunjalo tender".

Reply received: May 2012

QUESTION 821

DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY, 20 APRIL 2012 [IQP No 09 -2012] FOURTH SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT

Question 821 for written reply: National Assembly, Ms D Carter (Cope) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

(a) What number of chickens is imported daily and (b) from which countries are they imported? NW994E

REPLY:

The information that the department gathers is unfortunately not broken down in days.

The table summarising imports in the previous 3 years is attached.

Live chickens

With live chicken imports, it is divided into 2 categories: less than 185 g and more than 185g; adult chickens will be more than 185g and day old chickens will be classified as less than 185g.

As can be seen on the table, the bulk of imports of live chickens is day old chicks which are mainly grandparents stock.

Chicken meat

As we are not certain if the question only requires information on live chickens or to include meat, we have included information on meat imports.

The information is divided into whole chicken and chicken cuts, chilled or frozen.

Reply received: April 2012

QUESTION 771

Question771for written reply: NationalAssemblyDr P JRabie(DA)to ask the Ministerof Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

(1) How many abalone poachers have been (a) apprehended and (b) convicted in the Overberg area since 1 April 2011;

(2) What steps has the Government taken to reduce abalone poaching in this area? NW940E

Reply:

(1) In the Overberg area there were a total of 189 persons arrested, of which 43 were convicted, 31 cases were withdrawn and 115 are still pending.

(2) The steps taken to reduce poaching in the Overberg area include the following:

I. Regular sea and land based patrols.

II. Regular inspections of Fish Processing Establishments, fishing vessels and recreational Fishers.

III. Deployment of military veterans to improve compliance enforcement capacity.

IV. Various targeted joint operations with other law enforcement agencies.

V. Increased and on-going monitoring and surveillance of illegal activities in the Overberg area.

VI. Testing of surveillance equipment to be deployed in the area to improve efficiency.

Reply received: April 2012

QUESTION 758

Question 758 for written reply Mr M H Hoosen (ID) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

Whether her department has incurred any legal costs in the appeal against the Walmart-Massmart merger; if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, what were the detailed costs? NW926E

Reply:

Kindly refer to the Minister of Economic Development's response to National Assembly Question 757.

Reply received: April 2012

QUESTION 675

Question 675 for Written Reply Mr P van Dalen (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

(1) Whether she has cancelled the R800 million awarded to a certain company (name furnished) for the management and maintenance of research and fisheries vessels; if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, what were the reasons for the cancellation;

(2) Whether an investigation into any irregularities into the relevant tender has been initiated; if not, why not; if so,

(3) Whether any disciplinary steps have been taken against officials found to have contravened the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999; if not, why not; if so, what (a) steps and (b) are the further relevant details;

(4) Whether life-style audits were conducted on all members of the bid adjudication committee; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(5) Whether her department sought legal opinion during the tender process; if not, why not; if so what were the recommendations? NW835E

Reply:

(1) Yes. The department withdrew the award based on legal opinion which highlighted administrative flaws in the process.

(2) Yes. No; the investigation is not yet complete.

(3) Since the award is withdrawn, and no expenditure has been incurred, there is no contravention of the PFMA and disciplinary steps are not required.

(4) No. These are not required.

(5) Yes, legal opinion was obtained, which recommended the withdrawal of the award.

Reply received: April 2012

QUESTION673

Question 673 for written reply: National Assembly, Mr P van Dalen (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

Whether her department has taken measures to ensure that (a) our fishing resources will be protected, and (b) research ships will be adequately maintained and operated, after April 2012; if not, why not, in each case; if so; what are the relevant details in each case? NW833E

REPLY:

Yes. An agreement has been reached with the South African Navy to maintain and operate the research vessels. In addition the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) monitors all vessels within the Exclusive Economic Zone that are engaged in fishing activities.

Reply received: April 2012

QUESTION661

Question 661 for written reply: National Assembly, Mr B MBhanga(Cope) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

Whether her department has obtained any scientific and expert evaluation locating the marine resource management; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW820E

REPLY:

Following the clarification provided at the recent meeting of the Portfolio Committee, there is no need for a scientific or expert evaluation of the decision to fully integrate the Fisheries Branch into the structures of the Department.

Reply received: April 2012

QUESTION603

Question 603 for written reply: National Assembly, Mr P van Dalen (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

(1) Whether there are any transversal agreements between her department and the Department of Public Works to manage and maintain small fishing harbours; if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) Whether she has been informed that the management of harbours is a local government competency in terms of Schedule 4 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; if not,

(3) Whether she intends to familiarise herself with it; if so,(4) whether her department intends transferring the management of harbours to local government; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW769E

REPLY:

(1) As custodian of the State land within fishing harbours, the Department of Public Works (DPW) is responsible for the development and maintenance of the infrastructure within the harbours (breakwaters, quays, jetties, slipways, hoists, roads, parking areas, etc) as well as the letting of the state land in the harbours and the structures thereon (in terms of the State Land Disposal Act, 1961 and the Government Infrastructure and asset Management Act, 2007).

DAFF, through its Branch: Fisheries Management, is charged in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act, 1998 to regulate, monitor and manage the fishing activities and fishery stocks within South Africa. The fishing harbours are used as a base for these activities. DAFF is furthermore responsible for the day-to-day management of the harbours, as well as the allocation of mooring space in the harbours for all fishing, recreational and tourist vessels.

(2) At a cabinet meeting dated 22 April 2005 it was decided that a "Joint initiative by the departments of Public Works and Environmental Affairs and Tourism to develop South Africa's 12 proclaimed fishing harbours". The function of harbours is now located in the department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The State Law Advisors have confirmed that there is also no current legislation that makes provision for local authorities to manage fishing harbours.

(3) Not applicable.

(4) No, based on 2 above.

Reply received: April 2012

QUESTION601

Question 601 for written reply: National Assembly, Mr P van Dalen (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

(1) Whether she has been informed of the deteriorating infrastructure at small fishing harbours; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what plans have been put in place to (a) clear harbours of sunken vessels and (b) stimulate economic activity;

(2) What amount has been spent on the (a) upgrade and (b) maintenance of each specified small fishing harbour in the past five financial years;

(3) Whether her department has implemented the recommendations by the Ernst and Young Transitional Harbour Management Project; if not, why not; if so, what are the recommendations with regard to (a) on-site managers, (b) improved security, (c) facilities management in respect of (i) lease agreements and (ii) property management, (d) slipway maintenance and (e) improved communication with stakeholders? NW767E

REPLY:

(1) Yes.

a) Legal processes are being followed in terms of the harbour regulations to locate the owners of the vessels to instruct them to remove the vessels at their cost.

b) The Department has initiated a joint project with the Department of Public Works and National Treasury to implement the recommendations of the Ernest and Young Harbour Feasibility Study.

(2) (a) and (b) This is the responsibility and mandate of the Department of Public Works.

(3) Both the DAFF and the DPW are responsible for the implementation of the study recommendations and both departments have started addressing some of the quick wins.

(a) Regional managers have been appointed as an interim arrangement.

(b) Patrol teams have been appointed as part of the harbour facilities management project

(c) (i) This is the responsibility and mandate of the Department of Public Works.

(ii) This is the responsibility and mandate of the Department of Public Works.

(d) This is the responsibility and mandate of the Department of Public Works.

(e) Harbour User Committees have been established to improve communications with stakeholders, including local municipalities.

Reply received: April 2012

QUESTION 563

Question 563 for written reply: National Assembly, Mr I M Ollis (DA) to asked the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

(1) Whether her department has an internal audit unit; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many staff members are employed in the unit and (b) what (i) is the structure and (ii) are the functions of the unit; NW728E

Response: Yes the Department has an Internal Audit unit.

a) How many staff members are employed in the unit?

Response: 12 staff members

b)(i) Response: what is the structure of the unit

b)(ii) Response: Functions of unit

The unit reviews the activities of the Department and provides appraisals, recommendations, counsel and information concerning the activities with a view to improving internal controls, accountability and performance.

(2) whether the audit committee considers the internal audit reports; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

Response: The Audit Committee has four scheduled meetings in a year and the internal audit reports are included in the Audit Committee meeting agenda. Line managers are invited to attend the meeting as and when they are discussing their relevant internal audit report.

(3) whether she holds meetings to discuss (a) the internal reports and (b) their findings with the audit unit; if not, why not, in each case; if so, (i) on what dates since 1 April 2010 has each specified meeting taken place and (ii) what are the further relevant details? NW728E

Response: The internal audit unit discusses the reports with the Director-General and Audit Committee during the Audit Committee meetings. The Minister does not hold meetings with the IA staff but has meetings with the AC chairperson as and when required.

Reply received: April 2012

QUESTION 523

Question 523 for written reply Prof C T Msimang (IFP) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

(1)(a) How many distressed farmers have received (i) financial assistance and (ii) other forms of assistance from her department (aa) in the 2010-11 financial year and (bb) during the period 1 April 2011 to 31 December 2011 and (b) what form of assistance was received in each case;

(2) whether (a) financial viability and (b) medium to long-term sustainability studies have been conducted in this regard; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?NW674E

REPLY

1. (a) (i) The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries availed an amount of R46 million to the Land Bank in 2009 for the purposes of servicing the production debt of the 208 farmers in distress.

(ii) DAFF is working with the Land Bank to finalise a model that will be used to rehabilitate the farmers' debt situation and eventually bring their accounts to normality. The Land Bank has the primary responsibility of implementing the rehabilitation model and is in the process of doing so.

2. (a) The Land Bank undertook a review of the individual situations of the farmers and compiled a categorised list based on their debt situation and potential for rehabilitation. The intention is to design appropriate assistance packages for the different categories of farmers as well as to ascertain whether all of the farmers are still in a position farm profitably.

The Land Bank has also engaged the services of Rabobank, a Dutch cooperative bank that has vast experience in dealing with agricultural finance, in its attempt to find an appropriate approach towards assisting the distressed farmers.

Various forms of assistance have been extended to a number of farmers. These include assistance with construction of poultry structures, purchase of breeding goats stock, bore holes repairs, erection of fences, purchase of inputs and equipments and machinery. The table below isa record of information that the department has been given by the Land Bank with respect to the assistance that has been given to the distressed farmers to date.

In addition, provincial departments of agriculture have assisted distressed farmers, and details of this can be obtained from them.

Reply received: April 2012

QUESTION 516

Question 516 for written reply: NAtional assembley, Mr L.B. gaehler (UDM) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries,

(1) Whether her department intends to finance the ram exchange programme of the National Wool Growers' Association of SA (NWGA), to assist emerging farmers; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) What amount of money does she intend to allocate to Ncora Irrigation Scheme in the Eastern Cape as part of her department's policy to revive irrigation schemes in the former TBVC (Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda, Ciskei) states.

REPLY

1. Funding was initially available at Provincial level but, as this has been discontinued, DAFF is currently exploring possible support from a central research and development fund

2. No, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is not providing any support at this stage to the Ncora Irrigation Scheme from the CASP or Illima-Letsema programme.