Latest news with #SouthernAfricanAgriInitiative
The Citizen
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
‘Ramaphosa let us down,' say farmers over Trump's tariffs
Farming leaders blame Ramaphosa's silence for harsh US trade penalties threatening citrus, wine, and motor industries. AfriForum holds President Cyril Ramaphosa and his ANC-led government directly responsible for the 30% import tariff that US President Donald Trump announced on Monday. The organisation maintains Ramaphosa falsely tried to dismiss US concerns as misinformation when they should have acknowledged it and actively resolved it, said Ernst van Zyl, AfriForum head of public relations. 'AfriForum has repeatedly indicated ways in which the government can resolve the issues at the heart of the crisis. AfriForum blames Ramaphosa for US tariffs 'The civil rights organisation even offered assistance with finding workable solutions. 'Instead of cooperating, the government has made unfounded allegations against AfriForum and claimed the organisation is guilty of spreading misinformation,' Van Zyl said. ALSO READ: Where Trump's tariffs will hurt most 'A desperate investigation for treason has even been launched against AfriForum – all for the crime of pointing out the real issues.' Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai) president Theo de Jager said this potential 30% trade tariff increase on SA exports by August was worrying for farmers. 'Specifically, our nut, wine and citrus farms are in the direct line of fire. A 30% import duty will apply to anything sent from South Africa to the US from August, even for shipments already at sea.' Major concern for many farmers De Jager said the US was the biggest consumption market in the world and losing or severely restricting access to such a vital market puts SA at a disadvantage, inevitably disrupting trade. 'A major concern for many farmers is that these duties are understood to override Agoa [African Growth and Opportunity Act], which has been extremely important for us. Finding alternative markets is not easy, creating fierce competition for remaining opportunities.' ALSO READ: Wait-and-see to Trump's hardline The direct and indirect consequences for jobs in the agricultural sector were concerning De Jager said. 'South Africa has faced de-industrialisation and high unemployment for years and if we cannot compete internationally due to these tariffs, our ability to sustain livelihoods and create jobs will be severely hampered. 'Ultimately, this situation is not just about economics but is deeply political,' De Jager said. TLU SA chair Bennie van Zyl said the organisation was upset by the tariff and that nobody negotiated with Trump. SA didn't negotiate with Trump 'Some of the countries did this, but the South African government was absent. They did nothing and as a result, we are facing a 30% tariff by next month, which affects the agricultural sector, especially the citrus, wine and red meat industry.' Van Zyl questioned where the farmers affected by the tariff would find another market to feed. ALSO READ: Trump's new 30% tariff less about trade and more about power 'If you look at the bigger picture, the motor industry will also be affected and negatively impact our economy,' Van Zyl said. Freedom Front Plus trade, industry and competition spokesperson Jaco Mulder said the 30% tariff, likely driven by underlying geopolitical motives, is, by implication, a direct attack on the economic benefits SA derives from Agoa. 'These tariffs are also a response to SA's growing diplomatic and economic ties with countries such as those in Brics, which the US considers pariah states or adversaries. Tariffs threaten SA jobs, exports and Agoa 'It could be seen as an attempt to pressure South Africa regarding its foreign policy choices.' The impact on key sectors, such as the automotive industry, agriculture, textiles and manufacturing, will be devastating and could lead to significant job losses, reduced export revenue and further decline of South Africa's already struggling economy, Mulder said. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa disputes Trump's 30% tariff claim as 'not accurate' 'When a general tariff of 30% is imposed above and beyond the sector-specific tariffs, such as 25% on vehicles, on all South African exports, the duty-free status granted by Agoa becomes negligible.'
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Health
- IOL News
South Africa's poultry industry takes a proactive step with avian flu vaccination permit
Farming associations have welcomed news that South Africa issued its first permit to integrated poultry producer Astral for the vaccination of poultry against avian flu Image: File picture Farming associations have welcomed the issuing of the first permit to integrated poultry producer Astral Foods for the vaccination of poultry against avian flu. This comes after global outbreaks of Avian flu in America and Brazil. The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, on Tuesday announced that South Africa will embark on its first-ever vaccination campaign for poultry in the coming days as a proactive measure to minimise the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks. Francois Rossouw, the CEO of the Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai), said that granting Astral a permit to vaccinate broiler breeding stock against HPAI was a crucial step forward for the poultry industry. 'From both a veterinary and agricultural perspective, this move strengthens our ability to prevent outbreaks, protect food security, and stabilise the industry economically. Breeding stock forms the foundation of poultry production,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Rossouw added that by vaccinating them, the industry was not only reducing the risk of disease but also avoiding the devastating financial and supply disruptions seen in past outbreaks. 'This decision shows that the department recognises the urgency of proactive disease management and is willing to work with the industry to ensure the continued availability of affordable, locally produced protein for South African families.' Izaak Breitenbach, the CEO of the South African Poultry Association, said that HPAI was a controlled disease managed by the department and therefore, the industry cannot just vaccinate when it wants to, like other diseases. 'Issuing the first permit for vaccination against HPAI to Astral Foods is a historically important event. To date, we could only rely on biosecurity and culling to control the disease, two processes that have proven ineffective against the disease, not only in South Africa but also in Europe and the USA,' he said. Breitenbach added that the issuing of the first permit in this regard was not the end but the beginning of a process to do mass vaccination of all long-living chickens in South Africa to prevent the huge losses the industry suffered in recent years. Dawie Maree, head of FNB Agriculture Marketing and Information, said it was a positive step in the right direction and long overdue. 'It must be noted that it is only long-living birds (breeding flock) that will be vaccinated and not broilers. And it is also for the one strain H5N1 and not H7N1 (the vaccine for the latter is not yet approved),' Maree said. 'But it is good that we can at least start. South Africa and the producers can't afford another devastating outbreak, especially in the breeding flock.' Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, said that this was an encouraging step and follows a lengthy scientific assessment process. 'We all recall the 2023 avian influenza outbreak that resulted in egg shortages and higher prices. We also have a vivid memory of the egg shortages in the U.S. at the start of this year, which were also caused by the widespread avian influenza that affected their breeding stock,' he said. Sihlobo added that South Africa's decision to kickstart the vaccination was a welcome development, and an approach that the country should follow even in the years to come. 'We must ensure that the regulations remain agile so that, if there are outbreaks of new strains in the future, we can register vaccines speedily and effectively, allowing poultry businesses to avoid losses and maintain solid food security conditions.' BUSINESS REPORT
eNCA
02-07-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
Afrikaner group brief media on US trip
JOHANNESBURG - A delegation from Afrikaner interest groups is briefing the media on its recent visit to the United States. The delegation included Freedom Front Plus leader Corne Mulder; Dr Theo de Jager of the Southern African Agri Initiative; and Gerhard Papenfus from the National Employers' Association. The group met with White House officials and other US stakeholders. The leaders say discussions focused on preconditions for normalising relations with the US.
eNCA
02-07-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
Afrikaner group back from Washington
JOHANNESBURG - A delegation from Afrikaner interest groups is to brief media on its recent visit to the United States. The delegation included Freedom Front Plus leader Corne Mulder; Dr Theo de Jager of the Southern African Agri Initiative; and Gerhard Papenfus from the National Employers' Association. The group met with White House officials and other US stakeholders. The leaders say discussions focused on preconditions for normalising relations with the US. The visit comes just a month after President Cyril Ramaphosa met his US counterpart, Donald Trump, in the Oval Office.
The Citizen
02-07-2025
- The Citizen
Saai: Rural crimes severely underreported
Saai warns unreported rural crimes distort trends and hamper justice, pushing for improved definitions and statistics with Saps. Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai) is concerned about the number of farm attacks and murders reported in the past three months. In May, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said there was a notable decrease in farm attacks, with six incidents recorded in the fourth quarter (1 January to 31 March), compared with 12 in the previous quarter of the previous financial year. Saai development coordinator Leon Lourens said from January to May this year, 72 farm attacks and 10 farm murders were reported, an increase compared to the same period last year. 72 farm attack and 10 farm murders – Saai Lourens said farm attacks, livestock theft and illegal hunting – which are South Africa's rural crime – were underestimated. 'The most recent incident comparison meeting has once again proven the true extent of crime on farms and in rural areas is severely underestimated, particularly because many incidents are not reported to the police,' he said. ALSO READ: Farm attackers sentenced to life for the murder of Limpopo farmer Lourens said a comparison between statistics from external stakeholders and SA Police Service's (Saps) database reveal shocking discrepancies. He said only 50% of all livestock theft incidents reported through organised structures are recorded in the Saps system and only 15% of all illegal hunting incidents, especially those involving dogs, are officially registered. 'These differences indicate little crime is reported in rural areas, leading to misinterpretation of crime trends,' he added. Appeal to report rural crimes Lourens appealed to farmers, land users and rural communities to report crime incidents – from attacks, illegal hunting with dogs, livestock and game theft, poaching, trespassing and theft – to the police; no matter how minor it may seem. 'There is growing concern that the lack of official case numbers not only hampers investigations, but also undermines the state's ability to effectively manage crime in rural areas. A crime that is not officially recorded does not get investigated or acted upon,' he said. ALSO READ: Trio convicted for brutal farm attack in Eastern Cape Lourens said Saai was actively involved in external working groups with the Saps to ensure the definitions and classifications of rural areas, farm attacks and related crimes are comprehensive and inclusive. As part of this work, Saai has submitted a detailed document to Saps, specifically addressing: What should be considered a rural area, the inclusion of smallholdings, communally farmed land, game farms and settlements; Proper recognition of victims – farmers, farm workers, residents, visitors and service providers; and The importance of economic sabotage, infrastructure destruction and theft as key elements of farm-related crime. Detailed document to Saps Lourens said this contribution was an effort to make police statistics, prioritisation and resource allocation at ground level more realistic and targeted. In a recent attack in Mooiplaas, Pretoria, it was alleged the victim's Achilles tendons were severed with pangas. ALSO READ: Calls to address farm murders after Trump meeting [VIDEO] Pretoria regional spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk confirmed a case of house robbery, murder, possession of stolen property and housebreaking implements in Boschkop on 20 June. 'Complainant indicated he heard dogs barking outside, he went to investigate and was attacked by five men armed with pangas,' said Van Dyk. 'Suspects also attacked other tenants and robbed them of a TV set and cellphones before fleeing on foot.' Rural crimes ignored by police Criminologist Witness Maluleke said rural crimes have, over the years, been ignored by police, despite their biggest impact on the rural economy. 'This is coupled with low rural crime reporting rates, grey areas, ineffective investigations, inadequate resources, limited convictions and decided cases,' said Maluleke. ALSO READ: Rural safety in the spotlight amid calls to classify farm attacks as priority crime 'Rural crimes are proving to be difficult for the police to deal with.'
