It’s been a week of “banning” shocks for Mzansi’s farming sector. While most agri leaders have contended with a ban on cattle movement to stop foot-and-mouth disease in its tracks, a ban on vegetable exports to Namibia and Botswana have them pleading for intervention.
Citing the protection of their own production, the neighbouring countries took a unilateral decision to block South African veggie crops such as peppers, tomatoes, cabbage, beetroot, and potatoes from crossing their borders.
Agri SA now says that it has written to agriculture, land reform and rural development minister Thoko Didiza to request her urgent intervention.
“With the jobs and revenue at stake, government must immediately respond to this unjustified action in violation of the Southern Africa Customs Union Agreement,” the organisation says.
It adds that the sudden measures are even more severe considering that farmers have done nothing wrong. Also, Botswana only plans to relook the restrictions in two years’ time, when they might expand the list of banned commodities.
Ban on the movement of cattle
Another ban that has shocked local farmers this week, is a ban on the movement of cattle in South Africa. Although seemingly “drastic”, most industry leaders believe it is necessary to protect the industry from the bigger threat of an uncontrollable spread of FMD.
“If the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the Free State and other provinces cannot be combated, the Free State and the country face the destruction of our commercial livestock industry,” says Francois Wilken, president of Free State Agriculture (FSA).
The organisation therefore supports the 21-day ban, which it deems a strategy that has been well thought out.
The Red Meat Producers’ Organisation has also spoken out in support of the necessary ban, and industry leaders are pleading with farmers, veterinarians, and all stakeholders in the value chain to work together to make the strategy work.
FSA urges everyone in the cattle industry to strictly uphold existing biosecurity measures and to be vigilant in watching for signs of disease on farms adjacent to currently affected farms.
Paul Makube, senior agricultural economist at FNB-Agribusiness, also believes that increased biosecurity measures, including the widespread use of traceability technology, is now imperative for all stakeholders in the livestock value chain.
ALSO READ: SA battles 116 FMD outbreaks amid 21-day cattle ban
Latest in a chain of restrictions
South Africa’s fights to win both the battle against FMD and restrictions by trade partners, have made headlines in recent weeks. Agri SA has called for government intervention on China’s barring of wool imports from South Africa.
China traditionally buys around 70% of locally produced wool but has imposed an FMD-related import ban earlier this year. South African wool farmers have lost R700 million to date.
The citrus industry is also fighting a hard battle against restrictive new requirements from the European Union.
Although the South African government successfully negotiated the release of some citrus that had been contained in European ports – and were at risk of being destroyed – the local industry still fears a devastating fallout from the new regulations.
ALSO READ: Relief! Govt convinces EU to save SA citrus
Decision must be reversed
Meanwhile, Agri SA says because the veggie ban from Namibia and Botswana exists only to protect production in the two neighbouring countries – while they continue to send their harvests to South Africa – the South African government should intervene urgently.
“Government must act immediately to arrest and reverse this damaging trend,” it says and suggests “reciprocal measures” if government cannot convince its counterparts to reverse their decision.
“This includes the possible halting of payments to these countries from the Common Revenue Pool (the fund consisting of all customs, excise and additional duties collected in the Common Customs Area) until the borders are re-opened to South African commodities.”
Competition is escalating
The organisation says South African farmers already face “immense competitive challenges” as the local minimum wage of R23,19 far exceeds the labour costs in Namibia and Botswana at R12,23 and R5,05 respectively.
“Agri SA has also become aware of alleged efforts to encourage South African farmers to shift operations to these neighbouring countries, and if these bans are in furtherance of this agenda, South Africa must act to protect local operations and local jobs,” it says.
Agri SA says the agri department has not answered the local Agricultural Trade Forum’s request for a meeting yet, but that it is critical that they meet urgently.
ALSO READ: Pleas for intervention on devastating wool ban
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