ATC240315: Report of the Select Committee on Land Reform, Environment, Mineral Resources and Energy on the Ratification of the Amended Convention on the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), tabled in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution, 1996, and Explanatory Memorandum attached thereto, 12 March 2024

NCOP Land Reform, Environment, Mineral Resources and Energy

Report of the Select Committee on Land Reform, Environment, Mineral Resources and Energy on the Ratification of the Amended Convention on the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), tabled in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution, 1996, and Explanatory Memorandum attached thereto, 12 March 2024.

 

The Select Committee on Land Reform, Environment, Mineral Resources and Energy, having considered the request for approval by Parliament of the Ratification of the Amended Convention on the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) tabled in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution, 1996, and Explanatory Memorandum attached thereto, referred to it on 1 February 2024, was briefed by the department on 27 February 2024. The committee thanked the department for the presentation on the Agreement and requested that the department clarify to the committee why South Africa (SA) waited for such an extended period before ratifying the treaty.

 

The department responded that the delay in becoming signatories was to assess which other countries were party to the treaty, what the world opinion was towards the treaty, how the treaty would benefit SA and what the potential shortfalls of the treaty were before becoming a signatory to it. The department assured the committee that extensive consultation took place, and that commercial, small scale and subsistence farmers were consulted. The farmers were also included in the implementation process of the treaty.

 

The committee enquired whether a similar instrument exists for the protection of animal genetic resources and the response was that globally there is none and that SA together with other countries are consulting each other on a global plan of action for securing animal genetic resources which could potentially lead to an International Agreements such as the one serving before the committee.      

 

The Committee, after deliberating the matter recommends that the Council, in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution, 1996, approves the said Agreement.

 

 

Report to be considered.