Questions & Replies: Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries A

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2015-03-11

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Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1695 / NW1915E     

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Ms A Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION

What has been the cost to date of the (a) Nupen, Harris and Molebatsi (i) investigation and (ii) report and (b) Emang Basadi report? NW1915E       

REPLY

(a)The DAFF incurred a total cost of R1 470 653.00 on the Nupen Harris and Molebatsi investigation and report.

(b)        The total cost of the Emang Basadi report was R964 802.52.

 

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1694 / NW1914E     

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Ms Z Jongbloed (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION

Is there a record of the settlement with regard to the line fishers’ court action against his department which was mentioned in his department’s press release dated 17 April 2015 about the Fishing Rights Allocation Process 2013; if not, (a) is a settlement offer being considered and (b) when will it be made; if so, where does it emanate from?  NW1914E                                                                                                                       

REPLY

The South African Commercial Fishers Association (SACLA) vs the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries matter is currently before court and the matter is sub judice at this time.

 

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1693 / NW1913E     

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Ms Z Jongbloed (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION

Whether, with regard to the Emang Basadi report which highlights extensive corruption through political interference in the Fishing Rights Allocation Process of 2013, he or the Deputy Director-General has taken any steps to lay charges in terms of section 34 of the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act, Act 12 of 2004; if not, (a) is a settlement offer being considered and (b) when will it be made; if so, where does it emanate from?     NW1913E  

                                         

REPLY

No charges have been laid. Where allegations of corruption were made concerning some officials, those allegations were referred to the Hawks, Western Cape for investigation. There were some similarities between the Harris, Nuppen, Molebatsi and Emang Basadi reports on the conduct of officials.  To date we have not received confirmation from the Hawks of these allegations to enable the department to lay charges. The investigation is continuing.

Question (a) and (b) do not apply as result of the answer above.

 

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1692 / NW1912E)

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Honourable Ms Z Jongbloed (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION

Did officials from his department recently travel to Japan, if so, (a) what (i) are the full names and (ii) is the position of each person who went on the trip, (b) what was the purpose of the trip, (c) what was the total cost of the trip and (d) who paid for the trip (NW1912E)

See reply here: /files/RNW1692A-150527.pdf

 

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION: 1616 1 NW1833E
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:
Ms A Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:
QUESTION


Will his department contribute towards the establishment of Agri-parks, if so (a) what are the relevant details and (b) how much will his department contribute financially?

Find here: DAFF’S RESPONSE:

 

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1461 / NW1674E     

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Mr T C R Walters (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION

 (a) How many invoices from private contractors to his department currently remain unpaid for longer than 30 days and (b) in each case, what (i) are the details of the (aa) contractor and (bb) services provided and (ii) what is the (aa) date of the invoice and (bb)  reason why the invoice was not paid within 30 days?                                   NW1674E

REPLY

The table now reflects only invoices not paid as at 31 March 2015. This reflects a total of 33 invoices to the amount of R1 842 610.96.

The 29 Phakisa invoices relates to Eastern Cape Forestry that are leasing vehicles from Phakisa Fleet Management. 

 

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1390 / NW1603E     

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Ms Z Jongbloed (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION

(a) What number of (i) financial, (ii) forensic and/or (iii) other investigations that were commissioned by his department have been completed since 1 April 2013 and (b) in each case, what are the relevant details on the (i) investigation including a synopsis of the facts and findings of each case, (ii) persons or third parties responsible for each investigation, (iii) total cost to date of each investigation and (iv) appropriate steps taken against officials and third parties implicated of wrongdoing in the findings of the investigations?                                                               NW1603E

REPLY

Attachment A and B see the link: /files/RNW1390-150521AnnexureA.docx
/files/RNW1390-150521AnnexureB.docx

 

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1322 / NW1531E

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Ms A Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION

With reference to his reply to question 1043 on 30 March 2015, what was the breakdown of expenditure for each training college as captured in Annexure A in respect of (a) operational budget for compensation of employees, goods and services and (b) college revitalization programme funding in the (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11, (iii) 2011-12, (iv) 2012-13, (v) 2013-14 and (vii) 2014-15 financial years? NW1531E                                            

REPLY

See attached link for reply: /files/RNW1322-150519REPLY.docx

 

Reply received: May 2015

QUESTION 1316/ NW1525E      

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Ms A Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

 QUESTION

 (1) Whether, with reference to his reply to question 541 on 17 March 2015, have any additional employees from his department been suspended; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how many are suspended;

(2) what is the (a) name, (b) position, and (c) monthly salary of each employee under suspension;

(3) on what date was each suspended employee placed on suspension;

(4) in respect of each specified case, what were the reasons for their suspension;

(5) in respect of each specified case, when does he expect the disciplinary process to be completed? NW1525E

REPLY

(1)                    Yes (4)

Answers to questions (2); (3); (4); and (5) are contained in a table attached.

 

LIST OF EMPLOYEES SUSPENDED AS A PRECAUTION

No

 

 

(2)(a)Name

(2)(b)Rank/ Position

(2)(c) Monthly salary

(3) Suspension start date

(4) Reason for suspension

(5) Disciplinary process completion date

  1.  

Mr N S Matundu

Senior Forester

D: FMKZN

 

R19883.50

1/08/14

felled wood without permission

Disciplinary process completed on 25/08/14.

  1.  

Mr H Plam

Forestry foreman, D:Marestry Management, KZN

R11365.75

1/10/14

Theft

Disciplinary process completed on 10/03/15

  1.  

Mr R Seletisha

Chief Agricultural Food and Quarantine Technician

R25944.75

10/09/14

Solicited bribe from customer

Disciplinary process completed on 14/11/14

 

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 1253 / NW1462E     

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Ms D Carter (Cope) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION

Whether he (a) has instituted or (b) will institute a full-scale investigation into the last round of fishing licence awards to determine if anyone had misused or abused his or her power to transgress regulations and/or bring his department into disrepute; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? 

REPLY

(1)The investigation on the FRAP 2013 was done.  Shortcomings and deviations were identified in the report. Corrective actions on the FRAP 2013 that are included in the recommendations are being implemented.

(2)Allegations of corruption have been referred to the Hawks to establish the veracity and apply the requisite measures.

(3)An internal process is underway to assess if any disciplinary action is required and if so the necessary steps will follow.

 

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION1161 / NW1362E      

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Mr P van Dalen (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION

(a) How many sick leave days were taken by employees of his department in the 2013-14 financial year and (b) what was the total cost thereof in rand?         NW1362E

REPLY

(1)As reported in the Departmental Annual report for the 2013/2014 financial year, 37 664 sick leave days were taken by employees in the Department in 2013/14. The total cost of these sick leave days amounts to R 23 356 000,00

 

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 1092 / NW1257E     

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Mr A R McLoughlin (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION

What amount did (a) his department and (b) entities reporting to him spend on advertising in The New Age newspaper in the (i) 2011-12, (ii) 2012-13 and (iii) 2013-14 financial years?                                                                

REPLY

  1. The Total amount that has been spent on advertising in the New Age newspaper during the:
    1. 2011/12 financial year:               R 0.00
    2. 2012/2013 financial year             R 0.00
    3. 2013/14 financial year                R 566 352.00. 

 

Reply received: April 2015

 

QUESTION 1053 / NW1213E     

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Ms Z Jongbloed (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION

 (1) Are abalone divers still paying levies; if not, why not; if so, what is the total amount raised from levies in the (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12, (d) 2012-13, and (f) 2013-14 financial years;

(2) does his department still have an anti-poaching programme in place; if not, why not; if so (a) what is the name of the programme, (b) how is it funded and (c) is this programme making progress in combatting poaching?                                 

REPLY

(1)        Yes, abalone divers are still paying levies.

1(a)       Levy Total for the 2009-2010:                R2,708,966.66                   

 

1(b)      Levy Total for the 2010-2011:               R3,687,204.02                   

 

1(c)       Levy Total for the 2011-2012:                R3,837,412.64                   

 

1(d)      Levy Total for the 2012-2013:                R2,500,496.73                   

 

1(f)       Levy Total for the 2013-2014:                R1,118,074.52                   

 

(2)        Yes, the Department has an anti-poaching programme in place;

 

2(a)       The Integrated Fisheries Security Strategy (IFSS);

 

2(b)      This Strategy is funded through the Marine Living Resources Fund;

 

2(c)       Yes, this programme is making progress in combatting poaching.

 

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 1044/ NW1204E      

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Mr  B M Bhanga (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry  and Fisheries:

QUESTION

 (1)  Was an environmental impact study undertaken at Vanderkloof  dam to implement the Vanderkloof Fishery Project; if not,  why not; if so, what was the outcomes of the impact study;(2) were the communities around Vanderkloof dam informed by his  department of the proposed fishing project; if not, why not;  if so, who attended the  meetings? 

REPLY

(1)This activity is not listed on the National Environmental Management Act: Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations

(2)The implementation is done by the Northern Cape Provincial Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural. Consultation  with communities will be undertaken before commencement of the project

 

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 1043/NW1203E

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Ms A Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION:

  1. with reference to his reply to question 465 on 6 March 2015, what is the current condition of each of the other agricultural colleges in South Africa;
  2. what is his department doing to ensure that each of the training facilities are properly maintained;
  3. how many students are at each college;
  4. how many staff members are at each college;
  5. how much has his (a) department and/or (b) any other source of funding spent on each training facility in respect of (i) grant funding for compensation of employees and goods and services, and (ii) college revitalisation programme funding (aa) in the (aaa) 2009/10, (bbb) 2010/11, (ccc) 2011/12, (ddd) 2012/13 and (eee) 2013/14 financial years, and (bb) since 1 April 2014? NW1203E

REPLY:

  1. There are twelve Colleges of Agriculture in South Africa that provide both Higher Education and Vocational Technical Training bands in agriculture. However, as of January 2015 the Lowveld College of Agriculture has been incorporated into the new University of Mpumalanga, this leaves the country with eleven Colleges of Agriculture. The Colleges are located in six provinces of the country as follows; Cedara and Owen Sitole Colleges in KwaZulu-Natal, Potchefstroom and Taung Colleges in the North West, Cape Institute of Agriculture Training (CIAT): Elsenburg in the Western Cape, Fort Cox College, Tsolo and Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute (GADI) in the Eastern Cape, Glen College in Free State and Madzivhandila and Tompi Seleka Colleges in Limpopo. Northern Cape, Mpumalanga and Gauteng provinces do not have a college of agriculture.

All the Colleges are in principle administered by and are reporting to the respective Provincial Departments of Agriculture except for Grootfontein in Middelburg which is under the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) as a fully fledged Directorate.

Five (5) of the eleven colleges namely; Cedara, Potchefstroom, Elsenburg, Grootfontein and Glen Colleges are former White institutions. However these Colleges have since transformed themselves and admitted students from all racial groups. Fort Cox, Tompi Seleka

The Colleges of Agriculture were re-accredited in 2012 and some in 2013 by the Council for Higher Education (CHE) and their qualifications were registered with Higher Education Quality Council (HEQC) and South African Qualification Authority (SAQA)

Cedara and Elsenburg Colleges have advanced in developing a franchise working partnership with the Universities of KwaZulu-Natal and Stellenbosch respectively to offer a Bachelors Degree in Agriculture.

  1. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) commenced with its National Treasury approved and funded Colleges Revitalization Plan in 2011/12 financial year. Since then, DAFF has been allocating a substantial amount of money to Colleges to augment their equitable budget.
  1. A total number of 2230 (two thousand two hundred and thirty) students have been registered at the Colleges of Agriculture during the 2015 academic year.  The aggregate is as follows: Cedara (172), Elsenburg (489), Fort Cox (377), GADI (219), Glen (142), Madzivhandila (60), Owen Sitole (177), Potchefstroom (272), Taung (103), Tompi Seleka (80) and Tsolo (139).
  1. A total number of 1226 (one thousand two hundred and twenty six) staff are employed at all the Colleges of Agriculture. The aggregate is as follows: Cedara (70), Elsenburg (121), Fort Cox (136), GADI (169), Glen (57), Madzivhandila (138), Owen Sitole (85), Potchefstroom (85), Taung (114), Tompi Seleka (153) and Tsolo (98).
  1. A total amount of R2 273 955 342.00 (two billion two hundred and seventy three million nine hundred and fifty five thousand and three hundred and forty two rand only) has been spent on Colleges of Agriculture since 2009/10. The detailed breakdown is captured in Annexure A.

Funding

2009/10

2010/11

2011/12

2012/13

2013/14

2014/15

Total

Operational budget (Compensation of employees, goods and services

R 219

649

279.00

R 272

405

481.00

R299

938

376.00

R345

323

606.00

R369

909

600.00

R400

130

000.00

R

1 907

356

342.00

Colleges Revitalization Plan

R 0.00

R 0.00

R50

000

000.00

R85

500

000.00

R97

388

000.00

R133

711

000.00

R366

599

000.00

Total

R219

649

279.00

R272

405

481.00

R349

938

376.00

R430

823

606.00

R467

297

600.00

R533

841

000.00

R2 273

955

342.00

 

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 1039 / NW1199E     

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Ms Z Jongbloed (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION

 (1) What was the total amount spent by his department on FRAP2013;

(2) can any of the money spent be recouped; if not, why not; if so, (a) from whom and (b) what is the amount to be recouped;

(3) did he find that the lack of proper procedure that led to the process being declared as failed stemmed from a dereliction of duties; if not, why not; if so, what action (a) was, (b) will (c) is being taken against the two departmental officials (names furnished);

(4) are certain persons (names furnished) implicated in any wrongdoing in the (a) Nupen, (b) Harris and (c) Molebatsi report; if so (i) what was the finding against the specified persons respectively and (ii) is any remedial action recommended in any of the specified reports;

(5) are any steps being taken to recoup the millions paid to a certain person (name furnished); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY

(1)The total amount spent on FRAP 2013 in the 2013/14 financial year was R26.9 million.  The process is not concluded yet and it is therefore not possible to accurately indicate the total cost of FRAP2013 at this point in time.

 

(2)a) Part of the cost incurred in the rights allocation is intended to recouped from the right holders through grant of right fees, permit application and vessel license application fees after consultation with the Minister of Finance and subsequent gazetting. The reports completed have not recommended any recovery from any person.

b) At this stage it is not possible to provide the amount that can be recouped as the Fishing Rights Allocation Process 2013 has not been concluded.

(3)   The findings pointed to several shortcomings which, amongst others, included deviations from the policies but has not pointed clearly to the dereliction of duty. An internal process is underway to assess if any disciplinary action will be necessary and if so the necessary steps will follow.

(4)Unverified allegations of impropriety were made which were tested by the Hawks and have not proven positive.

(5)The response is the same as above.

 

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 1038 / NW1198E     

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Ms Z Jongbloed (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION

Is his department able to handle the challenges of marine protection on its own; if not, (a) will partners be appointed to assist, (b) have the partners been identified, (c) at what cost and (d) what budget is available for this purpose NW1198E

REPLY

  1. No,
  1. Yes, they have been identified and committed to participate

 

  1. The Department of Environmental Affairs, The South African Police Services, Department of Justice, The National Prosecuting Authority, The South African Revenue Services, The South African National Defense Force, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Mineral and Energy; The Department of Transport, Department of Home Affairs, Department of International Relations and Co-operation, Transnet National Ports Authority, South African Maritime Safety Authority, Provincial MEC: Western  Cape and Provincial MEC: Eastern Cape,
  1. R1.67billion for all stakeholders.

The budget for DAFF is as follows:

  1. FY2015/2016 it is R99.7 million
  2. FY2016/2017 it is.R61.7million
  3. FY2017/2018 it is R67.2 million.
  1.  Vessel Operating Costs : R95 million (ring fenced)

 Operational budget: R7 million 

 

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 903 / NW1052E      

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Mr S J F Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION

What amount was spent by (a) his department and (b) state entities reporting to him on (i) tickets and (ii) sponsorships on The New Age Breakfast Briefings for the last three financial years?                                    NW1052E

REPLY

  1. No funds were spent by the department on tickets or sponsorships.
  2. State entities:
    1. Onderstepoort Biological Products:
      1. 2012:    R14 261.40 on sponsorships
      2. 2013:    R10 000.00 on sponsorships
      3. 2014:    R40 637.78 on tickets and R7 131.00 on sponsorships

 

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 868 / NW1017E      

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Mrs Z B N Balindlela (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION

 (1)       Whether his department or the entities reporting to him provides any type of sponsorships; if not, what is his department’s position in this regard; if so, (a) what are the details of each sponsorship, (b) what is the

             value of each sponsorship, (c) when were each of these sponsorship deals undertaken and (d) when will each of the sponsorship deals end;

(2)       whether his department or any of the entities reporting to him intends to enter into any type of sponsorship deal or contract in the (a) 2015-16 and (b) 2016-17 financial years; if not, why not; if so, (i) with whom will each sponsorship deal or contract be made, (ii) what will the terms of each of the sponsorship deals or contracts be, (iii) when will each of the sponsorship deals or contracts (aa) commence and (bb) end and (iv) what is the value of each of the sponsorship deals or contracts?NW1017E

 

REPLY

DAFF

(1)        Yes, DAFF does provide sponsorships/donations.

            Cash:

(a) Details of sponsorship

(b) Value of sponsorship

(c) When

(d) Duration

National Forestry Arbor City Award: Langeberg Municipality

R250 000

2013/14

2013/14

National Forestry Arbor City Award: City of Johannesburg Municipality

R250 000

2013/14

2013/14

Female Entrepreneur Awards

R1 050 000

2013/14

2013/14

Pledge to the African Solidarity Trust Fund

R2 000 000

2013/14

2013/14

 

            Made in kind:

(a) Details of sponsorship

(b) Value of sponsorship

(c) When

(d) Duration

Arbor week – the greening projects of the department in the disadvantage sector of the population

R731 000

2013/14

2013/14

 

(2)        (a) &(b)DAFF did budget for sponsorships in the specified financial years.

           

            (i) & (ii) The sponsorship will be for the winning municipalities with regard to the National Forestry Arbor City Awards.

 

            (iii) (aa)&(bb) The sponsorships will be for the National Forestry Arbor City Awards held within the 2015/16 and 2016/17 financial years respectively.

 

            (iv) The total sponsorship per financial year amounts to R600 000. Individual price money per awarded municipality to be determined.

ARC

The ARC provided no sponsorship.  The ARC does not intend entering into any type of sponsorships in (a) 2015-16 and (b) 2016-17.  The ARC do not have the financial capacity to do so

NCERA FARMS

Ncera Farms provided no sponsorship.  Ncera Farms does not intend entering into any type of sponsorships in (a) 2015-16 and (b) 2016-17.  Ncera Farms do not have the financial capacity to do so

PPECB

The PPECB is committed to the upliftment of the communities and sectors in which it operates. As such, we constantly scan our environment for opportunities to make a noticeable impact on society.

 

One such area in which we attempt to make an impact is the sponsorship of industry related events which highlight the dedication and exemplarily performance of those in the agricultural sector.  We firmly believe that an industry cannot flourish without the dedication of its workforce and welcome opportunities to highlight those who make a difference in the sector in which we operate. The PPECB will consider sponsorship of future events that is in alignment with our organizational mandate and where the organization can make a positive contribution.

 

The details of sponsorships for 2014-15 are reflected in the table, which makes reference to:

(b) what is the value of each sponsorship,

(c) when were each of these sponsorship deals undertaken and

(d) when will each of the sponsorship deals end.

 

 

Sponsorship

Recipient

Value

(b)

Purpose

Term

(d)

Date

(c)

1

Hex Valley Table Grape Association Block Competition 2015

Hex Valley Table Grape Association

R6 000

To support the industry and community in which PPECB operates and highlight successes. 

Ad hoc

31 January 2015

2

Berg River Table Grape Association Farm Worker of the year

Berg River Table Grape Association

R5 000

To support the industry and community in which PPECB operates and acknowledge those individuals who make a noticeable contribution.

Ad hoc

25 September 2014

3

Bronze sponsorship: SALGA Research Symposium 2014

South African Litchi Growers Association

R 1 350

To contribute to the development and success of  initiatives hosted by PPECB's stakeholder entities. 

Ad hoc

17 September 2014

4

Bronze Sponsorship: Subtropical Marketing Symposium

Subtropical Growers Association

R1 440

To contribute to the development and success of  initiatives hosted by PPECB's stakeholder entities.

Ad hoc

6 November 2014

5

The PPECB sponsored the attendance of selected smallholder farmers to the first annual CGA Summit. The PPECB covered the full attendance cost including flights and accommodation.

18 farmers including 2 farmers on our programme being Mr Mpukane Mphangeli and Mr Sibongile Ndagalavu from the Eastern Cape.

R54 052

To contribute to the learning and upliftment of small holder farmers and encourage their exposure to industry initiatives.

Ad hoc

11 – 12 March 2015

6

The PPECB sponsored the attendance of a smallholder farmer to the CRI Post Harvest Workshop. The PPECB covered the full attendance cost including flights and accommodation.

1 farmer namely: Mr Eric Nohamba

R3 796

To contribute to the learning and upliftment of small holder farmers and encourage their exposure to industry initiatives.

Ad hoc

17 – 18 February 2015

7

The PPECB sponsored the attendance of selected smallholder farmers to the biannual CRI Symposium in the Drakensberg. The PPECB covered the full attendance cost including flights and accommodation.

4 farmers namely: Mr Sibongile Ndagalavu , Mr Mpukane Mphangeli, Ms Noluthando Mbilase from the Eastern Cape

R 49 535.90

To contribute to the learning and upliftment of small holder farmers and encourage their exposure to industry initiatives.

Ad hoc

17 – 20 August 2014

8

The PPECB sponsored the attendance of selected smallholder farmers to the CRI Pest Management workshop. The PPECB covered the full attendance cost including flights and accommodation.

5 farmers namely: Mr Siseko Maqoma, Mr Sibongile Ndagalavu , Mr Mpukane Mphangeli, Ms Noluthando Mbilase and Mr Eric Nohamba  from the Eastern Cape

 

R 10 255

To contribute to the learning and upliftment of small holder farmers and encourage their exposure to industry initiatives.

Ad hoc

30 September – 1 October 2014

 

Details for sponsorships that are planned for (a) 2015-16 and (b) 2016-17 financial years are reflected in the table which makes specific reference to:

  1. with whom will each sponsorship deal or contract be made,
  2. what will the terms of each of the sponsorship deals or contracts be,
  3. when will each of the sponsorship deals or contracts

(aa) commence and

(bb) end

  1.  what is the value of each of the sponsorship deals or contracts?                                                                                                                                           

 

Sponsorship

Recipient

(i)

Value

(iv)

Purpose

Term

(ii)

Date

(iii)(aa) and (bb)

Hex Valley Table Grape Association Block Competition 2015

Hex Valley Table Grape Association

R6 000

To support the industry and community in which PPECB operates and highlight successes. 

Ad hoc

31 January 2016

31 January 2017

Berg River Table Grape Association Farm Worker of the year

Berg River Table Grape Association

R5 000

To support the industry and community in which PPECB operates and acknowledge those individuals who make a noticeable contribution.

Ad hoc

25 September 2015

25 September 2016

Bronze sponsorship: SALGA Research Symposium 2014

South African Litchi Growers Association

R 1 350

To contribute to the development and success of  initiatives hosted by PPECB's stakeholder entities. 

Ad hoc

17 September 2015

17 September 2016

Bronze Sponsorship: Subtropical Marketing Symposium

Subtropical Growers Association

R1 440

To contribute to the development and success of  initiatives hosted by PPECB's stakeholder entities.

Ad hoc

6 November 2015

6 November 2016

 

OBP

(1)       Whether his department or the entities reporting to him provides any type of sponsorships; if not, what is his department’s position in this regard; if so,

(a) what are the details of each sponsorship, (b) what is the value of each sponsorship, (c) when were each of these sponsorship deals undertaken and

 

 

2012/13

              55,000

SPONSORSHIP AFRICA RACE GROUP

              30,000

SPONSORSHIP FACULTY DAY

              15,000

SPONSORSHIP WOOLGROWERS CONGRESS

              10,000

2013/14

            117,500

AFASA SPONSORSHIP

              40,000

VETERINARY ASSOCIATION NAMIBIA

                2,500

SAVETCON (PTY LTD)

              15,000

SPONSORSHIP FOR EASTERN CAPE WOOL

              10,000

INTERREGIONAL WOOL GROWERS ASSOCIATION

              10,000

SPONSORSHIP FOR MPO VRYSTAAT

                4,000

SPONSORSHIP FOR RPO VRYSTAAT

                4,000

SPONSORSHIP FOR SCIENTIFIC MEETING 2013

              10,000

Sponsorship Marketing - rpo vrystaat

                8,000

Sponsorship Marketing- RPO Western Cape

                5,000

SPONSORSHIP RPO NC

                5,000

SPONSORSHIP RPO VRYSTAAT

                4,000

 

2014/15

            123,451

RPO Northwest

                1,500

NERPO 2014 AGM Sponsorship

              26,316

UNIVERSITY PRETORIA-FACULTY VE

              10,000

S.A.S.V.E.P.M.

              10,000

MEDSWANA MEDICATION FOR THE NATION

                6,250

MEDSWANA MEDICATION FOR THE NATION

                4,386

INTERREGIONAL WOOL GROWERS ASSOCIATION

              15,000

RPO VRYSTAAT

                6,000

SPONSORSHIP MPO

                5,000

SPONSORSHIP NORTHERN CAPE

                6,000

Sponsorship: NERPO Annual General Meeting 2014

              30,000

SPONSORSHIP-NORTH WEST ANIMAL HEALTH

                3,000

 

 

 Total Sponsorships

            295,951

(d) when will each of the sponsorship deals end;

The sponsorships are mainly ad hoc farmer support on farmers days and product promotions at workshops/conferences.

(2)       whether his department or any of the entities reporting to him intends to enter into any type of sponsorship deal or contract in the (a) 2015-16 and (b) 2016-17 financial years; if not, why not; if so, (i) with whom will each sponsorship deal or contract be made, (ii) what will the terms of each of the sponsorship deals or contracts be, (iii) when will each of the sponsorship deals or contracts (aa) commence and (bb) end and (iv) what is the value of each of the sponsorship deals or contracts?      

We do not have sponsorship deals and therefore will not be entering into any agreements for (a)2015 -16 (b) 2016-17 because our sponsorships are ad hoc to farmers, farmer associations and educational Institutions. 

 

MLRF

There are no sponsorships provided by the MLRF or intended going forward

NAMC

No sponsorships provided by the NAMC.  The NAMC has no intention to enter into any type of sponsorship deal or contract during the financial year 2015/16 and 2016/17, due to budgetary constraints.

 

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 799 / NW949E

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

ADV A DE W ALBERTS (FF PLUS) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

QUESTION

(1)      Whether, with reference to the former Minister’s reply to question 1395 on 21 June 2013, his department has granted any funds to nongovernment organisations such as (a) trade unions, (b) agricultural organisations and (c) any other organisation in the agricultural sector in (i) 2013 and (ii) 2014; if so, (aa) to whom were the funds transferred, (bb) how much was granted to each specified body, (cc) what was the aim of the funds, (dd) whether the outcomes for the granting of these funds were attained and (ee) who was the accountable person to take responsibility for the appropriation of these funds;

(2)      whether, in cases where the outcomes were not attained, the funds were (a) paid back or (b) written off as a loss; if not, what became of the funds; if so, what amounts for each project in each respective year were (i) paid back and (ii) written off as a loss?   NW949E

                          REPLY:

DAFF’S RESPONSE:

(1)(a)                               No

(1)(b) and (c)     Yes

 

(aa) ORGANISATION

(bb)

FUNDS GRANTED

(cc)

AIM OF FUNDS GRANTED

(dd)

OUTCOMES ATTAINED

(ee)

ACCOUNTABLE PERSON

 

(i)

2012/13

R"000

(ii)

2013/14

R"000

 

 

 

National Wool Growers Association of SA

-

1 000

Research towards a scientific impact study to sustainably control predators in farming communities

Yes

DG

Mandulo Foundation

73

-

Contribution towards the activities of Mandulo in respect of planting and supporting small scale farmers in KwaZulu-Natal

Yes

DG

 

(2)      Not applicable

 

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 768/NW918E

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Ms Z Jongbloed (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION:

Since the reply of the Minister of Small Business Development to question 567 on 23 October 2014, have any boats which were donated by the Department of Trade and Industry, to empower coastal fisherman, subsequently been sold; if so, (a) why were they sold, (b) how many have been sold, (c) at what price was each one sold and (d) who benefited from each of the sales? NW918E

REPLY:

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) does not provide or regulate the sale of vessels to fishers. The vessels in question have been provided by the Department of Trade and Industry (Dti) therefore Dti should be approached to determine what conditions apply to the provision of the vessels. DAFF unfortunately does not have information on how many vessels were sold or to whom they were sold or for what price the vessels have been sold.

 

Reply received: March 2015

 

QUESTION 767/NW917E

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Ms Z Jongbloed (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION:

  1. Has the representative of the fisheries co-operative in the Helderberg area in the Western Cape been caught poaching; if so, (a) what was the extent of the alleged poaching and (b) did he pay an admission of guilt fine;
  2. has an investigation into the matter been launched; if not, why not; if so, (a) what were the findings of the investigation and (b) what were the consequences?NW917E

REPLY:

  1. Mr John Fredericks Pretorious was issued a J534 fine for catching 3 undersized Kob.

 

  1. Yes, a meeting was held with the committee of the Helderberg community where the transgressions of Mr John Pretorius were presented. He was requested to step down as the Interim Relief community representative. He agreed to step down at the end of March after concluding his affairs and after community is able to appoint a new community representative. 

 

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 608 / NW689E        

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Ms Z Jongbloed (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION

With reference to his reply to question 1134 on 19 September 2014, (a) how long has the Africana, his department’s only offshore research vessel, been undergoing repairs in Cape Town harbour, (b) what has been the total cost of the repairs to date, (c) when will the vessel be ready to resume its duties, (d) who has undertaken the duties and responsibilities of the vessel during this time of repairs and (e) what has been the total cost to his department to date of outside agencies being involved in research on behalf of his departmentNW689E

REPLY1

  1. The FRV Africana was towed from Simonstown harbour to Cape Town at the end of December 2014. She has since been undergoing repairs in Cape Town.
  2. Below are the exact amounts spent towards repairs:

DAMEN SHIPYARDS

2013/14 - R25,097,237.09

2014/15 –R28,927,823.50

SAMSA

2014/15 – R2,253,824.12

TOTAL= R56,278,884.71

  1. The vessels management was transferred to two companies after the South African Navy (SAN) acted as a management authority for a period of 12 months. The two companies, DAMEN SHIPYARDS and NAUTIC SA handed over management of the fleet to SAMSA on 1 October 2014 and November 2014 respectively. At the time the FRV Africana was suspended in Class with seven Conditions of Class outstanding. The RS Africana was towed to Cape Town at the insistence of SAMSA’s Management on the 24th of December 2014. This was done to ensure the speedy repair and preparation of the vessel.

SAMSA’s reasoning for towing the vessel from Simons Town was that contractors lost valuable working hours if they have to commute to Simons Town and that access to the Naval Base was reported to be a challenge.

To date the RS Africana is still suspended in Class. The main delay on the repairs was the shortage of spares which had to be imported.

Additional mechanical problems have been found in the Starboard Diesel Engine and we, the DAFF are still awaiting a repair solution for this problem.

The delays to the reinstatements of the vessel can be attributed to her age. The vessel was sailing under the Merchant Shipping Act when she was transferred to the SAN. The SAN removed the vessel from the SA Ships register and re-registered her as a war ship. The SAN therefore could not keep the vessel in Class. Bringing an old vessel like the Africana back onto the SA Ships Register and bringing her back into Class has proven to be a huge challenge.

Once all technical issues have been addressed the Class society will do a final survey. Only then can we apply for Class to reinstate the vessel. In the case of the Africana it will be Lloyds of London or some other highly reputable organisation. There panel only convene once every six weeks. Once she has been brought back into Class the management agent, SAMSA can resume the application for the outstanding legislative requirements for the vessel. Only once she has been issued with all the necessary certification would she be allowed to sail. SAMSA has indicated that the vessel will complete her condition repairs by end of March 2015, and be ready for commissioning by Lloyds Register. SAMSA also hinted to the possibility that she will be commissioned by end of April 2015.

  1. From April 2012 till end of March 2013, the SAN undertook such responsibilities. From April 2013 till end of September 2014, DAMEN Shipyards undertook such responsibilities. Currently SAMSA is the appointed DAFF fleet manager and they manage and oversee all repairs to the vessel.
  2. For Demersal Surveys, the MLRF chartered a vessel known as the MFV Andromeda from Viking Fishing Company (Pty) Ltd. The costs are given below:
  • January/ February 2014 West Coast survey – R7, 415, 769.71
  • March/ April 2014 South Coast survey – R6, 821, 102.86

For Pelagic Surveys, the MLRF chartered a vessel known as the Compass Challenger from a company called Compass Trawling (Blue Continent Products) (Pty) Ltd. The costs are given below:

  • May/ June 2014 Pelagic Recruit Survey – R10, 483, 292.74
  • October-December 2014 Pelagic Spawner Biomass survey – R12, 210, 238.35

                 Total:         R 36, 994, 419.22  

 

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 607 / NW688E        

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Mr Z Jongbloed (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION

Are all his department’s patrol boats operational; if not, (a) how many are out of service, (b) what are the names of each of the patrol boats which are currently out of service, (c) why each of the specified patrol boats is out of service, (d) for what period of time has each patrol boat been out of service and (e) has the incapacity of his department’s patrol boats affected its compliance with the SA Maritime Safety Authority’s safety requirements; if so, what are the relevant details in respect of each patrol boat?

REPLY

  1. Are all his department’s patrol boats operational

Patrol Vessels are operational but some of them are undergoing service, maintenance and  

how many are out of service

repairs.   Two

  1. what are the names of each of the patrol boats which are currently out of service

Offshore Patrol Vessel namely Sarah Baartman and

Inshore Patrol Vessel namely Victoria Mxenge

  1. why each of the specified patrol boats is out of service

Sarah Baartman is undergoing annual servey, maintenance and repairs

Victoria Mxenge is currently undergoing minor repairs but is expected to be operational soon. 

  1. for what period of time has each patrol boat been out of service

Sarah Baartman from end November 2014

Victoria Mxenge from 27 February 2015.

  1. has the incapacity of his department’s patrol boats affected its compliance with the SA Maritime Safety Authority’s safety requirements; if so, what are the relevant details in respect of each patrol boat?

All operations, maintenance and repairs of the Patrol Vessels are in compliance with the SAMSA certification requirements.

 

 

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 541 / NW621E        

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Ms A Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

QUESTION

Whether any employees in his department have been on suspension with full salary since 1 January 2014; if so, (a) how many employees and (b) what is the total cost thereof?   NW621E

REPLY1

1                      - Yes

1 (a)                  - 5

1 (b)                 - R4 481 212.25

 

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 489 / NW568E        

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Mr W M Madisha (Cope) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION

 (1) Whether the Government is actively assisting (i) farmers and (ii) farmworkers in different parts of the country as a result of the 2014-15 summer drought; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether the Government had sought any scientific explanations for the cause(s) of the drought in each area to help inform policy choices; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?  NW568E

 REPLY1

1(i)

Yes. The Government is assisting farmers in line with the Disaster Management Act (Act No. 57 of 2002) which prioritizes the disaster risk reduction phase in dealing with disasters. These activities include disaster risk prevention and mitigation measures.  The Act also emphasizes that disaster management is everyone’s responsibility, thus farmers have the onus to reduce the impact of drought and prevent them, where possible.

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) prioritizes disaster risk reduction as emphasized by the Disaster Management Act. DAFF has structures in place to address the risks and disasters that challenge the sector and deals with them proactively.

The National Agrometeorological Committee (NAC) is chaired by DAFF. This Committee meets quarterly to review the rainfall seasons, agricultural conditions in the provinces and analyses the seasonal forecast, then issue advisories to the farming community. The NAC constitutes of line function directorates within DAFF, the Provincial Departments of Agriculture, experts from the South African Weather Service, the Agricultural Research Council and Academic Institutions when scientific matters are being discussed.

The current conditions have been monitored since September 2014 and meetings were held in September 2014, December 2014, and February 2015. The discussions emphasized that due to the observed and predicted below normal rainfall conditions coupled with above normal temperatures, farming communities should plan their activities with due regard to these conditions. Activities such as reducing the planting area, choosing short season cultivars, as well as keeping the livestock in line with the carrying capacity, are advised.

The Department continues to monitor conditions in the provinces and issues updated advisory information on a monthly basis to the sector. Furthermore, farmers were encouraged to implement adaption measures to the changing climatic conditions.

The National Drought Task Team (NDTT) is the technical committee that strives to strengthen an effective and integrated drought-management system in the country. The NDTT constitutes of the Department of Cooperative Governance, the Department of Social Development, the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the South African Weather Services, the Agricultural Research Council, AgriSA, TAU, NAFU and AFASA.

An Emergency NDTT meeting has been scheduled to assess, analyse and discuss the current conditions in the country and other risk reduction related issues/matters within the sector and come up with the way forward.

1(ii)

The responsibility of farm workers in disaster related situations lies with the Department of Social Development and the Department of Labour. The Provincial Departments also play a leading role in the matter. In case where DAFF picks up or reports on matters related to the farm workers, the matters are referred to the relevant departments and further presented in the National Disaster Advisory Forum Meeting which is coordinated by the Department of Cooperative Governance. The Forum is constituted by all government departments and other relevant stakeholders. 

2.

Yes, the Government of RSA through Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

(DAFF) in collaboration with the relevant academic and research institutions such as the Agricultural Research Council, South African Weather Services, etc., continuously conduct various research projects such as Risk Assessments and Drought Mapping to inform policy development and implementation programmes in addressing risk reduction measures.

Research inputs have been incorporated into the development of policy, for example, DAFF in consultation with relevant stakeholders, have developed the Drought Management Plan (DMP) as per legislative requirements.

The Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act 57 of 2002) and the National Disaster Risk Management Framework of 2005 (NDRMF 2005) focuses on the four key performance areas (KPA) and three enablers which are prescribed to drive drought disaster risk management. The four KPAs include the following:

  1. integrated institutional capacity/arrangements,
  2. disaster risk assessment,
  3. disaster risk reduction, and
  4. response and recovery.

The three enablers are:

  1. information management and communication;
  2. education, training, public awareness and research; and
  3. funding arrangements for disaster risk management.

In addition, research findings have been included in drought coping strategies which have been developed, translated into 11 official languages and disseminated within the sector. The drought coping strategies are aimed at drought risk reduction in the farming community.

 

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 465 / NW543E        

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Ms A Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION

  1. What is the current condition of the Fort Cox Agricultural College in the Eastern Cape;
  2. What is his department doing to ensure that this training facility is properly maintained?
  3. How much has his department spent on this training facility (a) in the (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11, (iii) 2011-12 and (iv) 2013-14 financial years and (b) since 1 April 2014? NW543E

REPLY

  1. Fort Cox College of Agriculture is part of the eleven Colleges of agriculture in South Africa that provide both Higher Education and Further Education and Training bands in agriculture. The Colleges is located in King Williamstown of the Eastern Cape Province under the Amathole District Municipality.

Unlike the other Colleges, Fort Cox is a semi-autonomous institution. However, despite this semi-autonomous status, the College is financially dependent on the Provincial Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) for Compensation of Employees and Goods and Services

 

Presently, the core business of Fort Cox College is to offer quality education and training to students and farmers, targeting to improve rural livelihood in South Africa. Currently the College has admitted 280 full-time students. Fort Cox College of Agriculture and Forestry offers two programmes at National Qualification Framework (NQF) Level 6;

·         Three year Diploma in Agriculture (Agribusiness, Animal Production, Crop Production)

·         Three year Diploma in Forestry

For a number of years, the College operated without a fully functioning Board of Governors, Principal and Human Resources Manager. In August 2012, the then MEC for DRDAR, appointed a fully-fledged Board of Governors which is currently in place. In January 2014, the Board appointed a full time Human Resources Manager and in July 2014, the Board appointed a full time Principal.

 

  1. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) commenced with the work of revitalising infrastructure, equipment and aligning curriculum for the twelve colleges of Agriculture in 2011/12 financial year. Since then, DAFF has been allocating a substantial amount of money to Colleges to augment their equitable budget.

Fort Cox College receives the following financial assistance:

  • Grant funding for Compensation of Employees and Goods and Services from DRDAR and
  • College Revitalization Programme funding from DAFF
  1. Fort Cox College of Agriculture and Forestry has received the following funds from the Department:

Year

DAFF CRP Allocation

DRDAR Grant Allocation

2009-10

R 0.00

R20 000 000

2010-11

R 0.00

R21 040 000

2011-12

R5 000 000

R25 831 000

2012-13

R8 000 000

R31 811 100

2013-14

R9 300 000

R31 282 000

2014-15

R13 442 000

R39 520 000

Total

R35 742 000

R169 484 100

 

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 464 / NW542E        

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Ms A Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION

 (1)          (a) Why has there been a delay in planting at the Ncora Irrigation Scheme in the Eastern Cape, (b) when will planting commence and (c) what assistance is his department providing;

(2)          when last were (a) canals and (b) holding dams (i) repaired and (ii) maintained;

(3)          does his department intend to provide assistance with regard to the (a) repair and (b) maintenance of (i) canals and (ii) holdings dams; if not, why not; if so, when will such repair and maintenance commence;

(4)          how much has his department spent on the Ncora Irrigation Scheme (a) in the (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11, (iii) 2011-12 and (iv) 2013-14 financial years and (b) since 1 April 2014?                            NW542E

REPLY

(1) (a) In the 2014/15 season 270 ha of maize was planted at the appropriate planting time of October 2014 which is not considered to be delayed.

 (b) The planting commenced in the beginning of October 2014 and was completed at the end of the same month.

 (c) In the current financial year, the Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform through Ilima/Letsema conditional grants provided:

  • The inputs and mechanisation services for the planting of 270 ha of maize (2014/15 season). The crop is currently in good standing.
  • Minor maintenance repairs were done to irrigation infrastructure in use.
  • Management support for the scheme through a manager and administrative assistant operating full time at the scheme.
  • Participation in development planning together with the Chris Hani District municipality, Dept. Rural Development and Land reform and the Eastern Cape rural Development Agency.

REPLY TO QUESTION 2

(2) The programme to rehabilitate the bulk infrastructure in the Ncora Irrigation Scheme is managed by the Department of Water and Sanitation.

REPLY TO QUESTION 3

(3) No, the Department of Water and Sanitation have a programme and resources to address these issues.

REPLY TO QUESTION 4

4. A total amount of R6, 2 million was spent on the Ncora Irrigation Scheme since 2009 to date, as illustrated in the table below:

Financial Year

Amount Spent

  1.  

R 216 000

  1.  

R 241 000

  1.  

R 216 000

  1.  

R 1 656 000

  1.  

R 1 771 200

2014/2015

R 2 119 500

  1.  

R6 219 700

 

Reply received: April 2015

QUESTION 463 / NW541E        

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Ms A Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION

 (1) In relation to (a) Magwa and (b) Majola tea plantations in the Eastern Cape, has the plucking of tea commenced; if not, why not; if so, (i) when did it start and (ii) when is it expected to be completed;

(2) how many workers are employed on each plantation;

(3) have all workers on each farm received full pay over the past two years; if not, why not;

(4)  how much has his department spent on each plantation (a) in the (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11, (iii) 2011-12 and (iv) 2013-14 financial years and (b) since 1 April 2014;

(5)  what was the financial turnover on each of the plantations (a) in the (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11, (iii) 2011-12 and (iv) 2013-14 financial years and (b) since 1 April 2014?                             NW541E

REPLY

1.In relation to (a) Magwa and (b) Majola tea plantations in the Eastern Cape, has the plucking of tea commenced; if not, why not; if so, (i) when did it start and (ii) when is it expected to be completed;

  • The plucking of tea has not commenced for the current tea production season at both Magwa and Majola tea plantation due to lack of working capital. 

2.how many workers are employed on each plantation;

  • There are 754 permanent employees at Magwa
  • There are 335 permanent employees at Majola

3.have all workers on each farm received full pay over the past two years; if not, why not;

  1.  Magwa: workers have not been paid for 8 months

 

  1.  Majola: workers have not been paid for 14 months

 

  1.  Payment of salaries and wages at both tea companies depended on availability of cash. The cost of production and overheads expenses have been exceeding cash revenues from tea sales, and government grants have not been enough to make up the shortfall.

4.how much has his department spent on each plantation (a) in the (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11, (iii) 2011-12 and (iv) 2013-14 financial years and (b) since 1 April 2014;

4.1 Magwa

Transfer source

2009/2010

2010/2011

2011/2012

2012/2013

2013/2014

2014/2015

ECDC

16 300 000

 

 

 

 

 

ECDRDAR

 

4 300 000

8 900 000

28 025 000

12 500 000

2 198 660

ECRDA

 

 

 

187 634

2 241 747

2 765 000

TOTAL

16 300 000

4 300 000

8 900 000

28 212 634

14 741 747

4 963 660

4.2 Majola

Transfer source

2009/2010

2010/2011

2011/2012

2012/2013

2013/2014

2014/2015

ECDRDAR

 

 

3 047 000

500 000

3 900 000

901 340

TOTAL

 

 

3 047 000

500 000

3 900 000

901 340

 

5.What was the financial turnover on each of the plantations (a) in the (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11, (iii) 2011-12 and (iv)  2013-14 financial years and (b) since 1 April 2014?    

5.1 Magwa                                                                        

Tea sales (R)

2009/2010

2010/2011

2011/2012

2012/2013

2013/2014

2014/2015

Financial year end march

25 570 391

21 301 016

 

 

 

 

Financial year end June

 

 

3 283 380

4 464 897

7 890 639

182 842

5.2 Majola

Tea sales (R)

2009/2010

2010/2011

2011/2012

2012/2013

2013/2014

2014/2015

Financial year end March

Not available

Not available

 

 

 

 

Financial year end June

 

 

4 226 170

3 254 205

2 627 167

485 560

 

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 399 / NW474E        

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

MR W M MADISHA (COPE) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

QUESTION

  (1) Whether the Government is going to mark 2015 as the International Year of Soils considering that bad farming practices over decades have caused serious damage to farm land, grazing and forests and that 2015 will therefore be the year for active intervention to begin to address the health of the soil; if not, why not; if so, what (a) will be done to reverse soil damage and to protect our country’s soil from both present and future damage and (b) incentives does the Government intend to provide to those persons who have done exceptionally well in building up and improving the soil on the land they occupy in both the rural as well as the urban landscape;

(2) Whether he will make a statement on the country’s programme of action for the 2015 International Year of Soils?     NW474E

REPLY

  1. Yes, my department has plans to address soil degradation by implementing and promoting the provisions of Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, 43 of 1983, the development of Conservation Agriculture policy and up scaling of LandCare programme. The DAFF together with the Limpopo Provincial Department of Agriculture have already celebrated the launch of soil year at Ga- Makgopa in Limpopo on the 13 February 2015 under the banner of the LandCare programme. The following projects will be implemented to address SoilCare focus area of LandCare in the Country:

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 396 / NW471E        

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Ms D Carter (Cope) to ask the Minister of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries:

 (1)      Whether the measures that were implemented with regard to abalone poaching from 2009 to 2015 had significantly brought abalone poaching under control; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2)      whether abalone reserves have been the healthiest since 2009; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; - D: Resources Research

(3)      whether he will make a statement on (a) abalone protection, (b) sustainable exploitation and (C) anti-poaching challenges?   471E

REPLY

  1. The majority of South African Fishers are compliant with regulations and permit conditions.  In the event of non-compliance, the perpetrators have been apprehended and brought to trial.  Currently two (2) of the biggest Abalone smuggling syndicates are on trial in the High Court, Cape Town.  These perpetrators were apprehended between 2009 and 2010.  The rights of a number of right holders linked to the above syndicates have been revoked. 
  2.  All resource monitoring indicators have continued to point to further declines in the abalone fishery resource. Catch-per-unit-effort information from the fishery has continued to decline, with this indicator reaching its lowest point ever in 2013. The reason for the continued decline in the status of the abalone resource is over-exploitation and environmental factors.  This over-exploitation is primarily attributed to illegal harvesting activities.
  3. The Department does make periodic statements on various aspects of the abalone fishery, including the stock status; anti-poaching efforts and anti-poaching challenges.

 

Reply received: February 2015

QUESTION 211 / NW228E        

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Mr B D Joseph (EFF) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION

 (1)     In view of the steady decline in the contribution of agriculture to our economy, from contributing 21% to the country’s gross domestic product in 1910 to a mere 3% to 5% over the years and the need for more food production over the next decades, (a) what steps does he intend to take to radically transform South African agriculture into becoming a major economic driver and (b) can this plan be realised within the current structure of the agrarian economy where 20% of farmers produce 80% of the food;

(2)     can he provide evidence of any plans in his department to (a) bring services closer to the producers and (b) create jobs especially for youth and women in the rural and poorest areas of the country;

(3)     whether he has any short-term plan to close the gap between services and producers; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?             NW228E

REPLY

  1. a)   The Department will be tabling two documents, 1. The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Strategic Framework and 2. The Agricultural Policy Action Plan.  The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Strategic Framework sets out to examine what constrains these sectors, and what accounts for the overall decline in employment. The Framework identifies 4 pillars spoken of as challenges, namely:
  1. Equity and transformation;
  2. Equitable growth and competitiveness;
  3. Environmental sustainability, and
  4. Governance.

Each pillar identified in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Strategic Framework provides an overview of key challenges, and sets out strategic areas explaining the nature of required intervention in the sector. They are as follows - under:

Equity and transformation: Ensuring a more producer-friendly (and consumer-friendly) market structure;

Equitable growth and competitiveness: promoting local food economies; Investment in agro-logistics; promoting import substitution and export expansion through concerted value chain strategies; reducing dependence on industrial and imported inputs; increasing productive use of fallow land; strengthening research and Development outcomes

Environmental sustainability: to aid in the sustainable management of our natural resources, ecosystem-based management (EBM) will be adopted.

Governance: support services; skills development; research and development; knowledge and information management (integrated spatial economic planning); market access, information and regulation; institutional arrangements

The Agricultural Policy Action Plan (APAP) in turn seeks to translate the high-level responses offered in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Strategic Framework into a value chain approach, identifying concrete actions and steps. The APAP is planned over a five-year period and will be updated on an annual basis.

The first iteration of APAP thus does not offer a fully comprehensive plan. It is based on the model of the Industrial Policy Action Plan, IPAP, and it identifies an ambitious but manageable number of focused actions during the 1st year. APAP further aligns itself with the New Growth Path (NGP), the National Development Plan (NDP) and Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP), and seeks to assist in the achievement of Outcome 4, Decent Employment through Inclusive Growth, and that of Outcome 7, Comprehensive Rural Development and Food Security.

b)   We firstly want to challenge calculations of Agricultures contribution to the economy, in that current calculations, does not factor in Agro-processing, and other forward linkages in manufacturing. The methods employed in measuring the true economic value of Agriculture will be re-visited with StatsSA. The Director General has initiated such discussion already.

      Secondly, we believe that yes there are structural challenges to the market that lends itself to job loss. Our strategy is therefore to broaden market participation through a commodity approach, improved support services, and access to markets.

2.   The evidence is that we are in the process of tabling 1. The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Strategic Framework and          the Agricultural Policy Action Plan for Cabinet consideration.

3.    Yes, both the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, plans on implementing the targets set out in the SONA in order to address the challenges mentioned:

Fifty (50) farming enterprises will be identified as a pilot project regarding the 50/50 policy framework, which proposes relative rights for people who live and work on farms.

The establishment of Agri-parks or cooperatives and clusters within the poorest 27 districts of the country;

A ceiling of land ownership will be set at a MAXIMUM of 12 000 hectares (ha) by any natural or legal person. Foreign nationals will not be allowed to own productive land in South Africa but will be eligible for long-term lease;

1 million jobs to be generated in Agriculture, and;

To bring 1 million hectares of underutilized land into production. 

 

Reply received: March 2015

QUESTION 176 / NW184E        

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Mr A R McLoughlin (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION

 (1)    With reference to the reply of the Minister of Communications to question 1031 on 27 November 2014, what was the total amount that (a) his department and (b) each of its entities (i) spent on and/or (ii) budgeted for advertising for each month between 1 January 2013 and 31 July 2014, excluding expenditure transferred through the Department of Communications for advertising;

(2)    does such figure for each month represent the (a) total value of advertising that appeared in the media in that month, (b) amount paid in that month for advertising that may have appeared previously or (c) amount paid in advance for advertising that appeared at a later date;

(3)    in each specified case, what amount did (a) his department and (b) each of its entities spend on advertising in (i) print, (ii) radio, (iii) television, (iv) online and (v) outdoor;

(4)    in each specified case, what is the breakdown of advertising by (a) his department and (b) each of its entities in terms of (i) name of and (ii) amount spent on each (aa) publication, (bb) radio station, (cc) television station, (dd) website and (ee) billboards location in each province? NW184E

REPLY

Information requested is published in the Department’s Annual Report for 2013/14, which is publicly available, while recent audited expenditure information will be made available in the Department’s Annual Report for 2014/15, which will be tabled later this year.

 

Receveid Reply: February 2015

QUESTION 156 / NW163E        

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

Ms Z Jongbloed (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

QUESTION

(1)     With reference to his reply to question 2948 on 9 December 2014, how many recreational fishing licenses were issued in each province for (a) angling, (b) spear fishing, (c) cast/thrown net, (d) marine aquarium fish, (e) scuba diving in marine protected areas, (f) West Coast rock lobster, (g) East Coast rock lobster, (h) mud crab, (i) molluscs, which excludes abalone, but including octopus and squid, worms and other invertebrates and aquatic plants, (j) any additional fees for each vessel for recreational fishing from such vessel, (k) drag net, (l) hoop net, (m) mussel and (n) oyster, in (i) 2009, (ii) 2010, (iii) 2011, (iv) 2012, (v) 2013 and (vi) 2014;

(2)       what is the limit, if any, on the number of each of the above fishing licences that can be issued in each year in each province;

(3)       what was the total income received from fees for each respective fishing licence in each province in (a) 2009, (b) 2010, (c) 2011, (d) 2012, (e) 2013 and (f) 2014;

(4)          what is the current fee for each respective fishing licence in each province? NW163E 

REPLY

1)

Species

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

  1. Angling

148993

165614

164069

168162

171508

150876

  1. spearfishing,

4286

4749

4569

4730

4662

3912

  1. cast/thrown net

7253

7943

 7909

8409

8639

6965

  1. marine aquarium fish

825

1013

926

910

846

813

  1. e) scuba diving in marine protected areas

3125

4007

4163

4755

4510

3489

f)West Coast rock lobster

40822

41045

38668

34172

26498

10312

(g) East Coast rock lobster

6838

7709

6822

7210

7192

  7326

(h) mud crab

2316

2729

2681

2538

3052

2700

(i) molluscs

34191

39399

41446

42690

41825

33924

(j) any additional fees for each vessel for recreational fishing

10034

11889

12666

13068

12787

10125

(k) drag net

 

 

263

330

356

358

 (l) hoop net

 

 

181

490

746

913

(m) mussel

17

4889

5527

6100

6639

6762

(n) oyster

 

 

785

905

1001

   1017

 

(2) There is no prescribed limit.

 

(3) Money received from South African Post Office per financial year (01 April to 31 March)

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

(a)1 April 2008 - 31 March 2009

R23 205 185.65

 

(b)1 April 2009 - 31 March 2010

R27 863 780.62

 

(c)1 April 2010 - 31 March 2011

R26 007 450.37

 

(d)1 April 2011 - 31 March 2012

R27 711 214.60

 

(e)1 April 2012 - 31 March 2013

R30 848 328.61

 

(f)1 April 2013 - 31 March 2014

R27 131 121.66

 

The revenue reports from South African Post Office are not structured per province or specie.

(4) The fees are determined on a National basis and not per Province. The fees are as follows:

 

Annual fee

Application fee

Total Annual fee

Scuba Diving in MPA's

85.00

7.00

92.00

West coast rock lobster

87.00

7.00

94.00

East coast rock lobster

87.00

7.00

94.00

Mollusks including octopus, squid, worms, other invertebrates and aquatic plants

87.00

7.00

94.00

Mud crab

87.00

7.00

94.00

Marine aquarium fish

87.00

7.00

94.00

Angling

69.00

7.00

76.00

Spearfishing

87.00

7.00

94.00

Use of cast or throw net

87.00

7.00

94.00

Additional fee per vessel (only payable by the skipper) for recreational fishing from such a vessel where applicable

87.00

7.00

94.00

 

 

 

 

 

Current fees for Recreational Fishing Permits (Monthly)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monthly fee

Application fee

Total Monthly fee

Scuba Diving in MPA's

42.00

7.00

49.00

West coast rock lobster

50.00

7.00

57.00

East coast rock lobster

50.00

7.00

57.00

Mollusks including octopus, squid, worms, other invertebrates and aquatic plants

50.00

7.00

57.00

Mud crab

50.00

7.00

57.00

Marine aquarium fish

50.00

7.00

57.00

Angling

45.00

7.00

52.00

Spearfishing

50.00

7.00

57.00

Use of cast or throw net

50.00

7.00

57.00

Additional fee per vessel (only payable by the skipper) for recreational fishing from such a vessel where applicable

50.00

7.00

57.00