South Africa

A recent study by meat scientists from Stellenbosch University revealed that there is significant fraudulent labelling of meat products on the South African market.

The African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (Afasa) has urged President Jacob Zuma to fast-track amendments to the Green Paper on Land Reform that will do away with the ‘willing-buyer, willing-seller’ principle used in land reform transactions.

Results from a recent study show that the labelling of game meat in South Africa is very poor, with different species being substituted almost 80% of the time.

The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) describes the recent report by the Stellenbosch University of false labeling of processed meat products “a timely wake-up call that we cannot afford to be complacent on when it comes to compliance with food labelling standards”.

The Agriculture Business Chamber (Agbiz) welcomed the “rather bold” 2013/2014 National Budget presented by Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan yesterday.

A substantial loss in state income due to last year’s economic turbulence was the overriding theme for this year’s budget speech.

After nearly two months, a strike at KZN pork processor Frey’s Meats processing plant in Cato Ridge is over. But not before it inflicted serious harm on pig farmers.

In the wake of the EU horse meat scandal, a new study by Dr Donna-Maree Cawthorn and Prof Louw Hoffman of Stellenbosch University’s Department of Animal Sciences, in conjunction with Harris Steinman of the Food & Allergy Consulting & Testing Services in Milnerton, in the Western Cape, has revealed there’s a number of ‘fraudulent’ meat products on the SA market.

Although the current outbreak of African horse sickness (AHS) is not over yet and additional cases could be confirmed in the months ahead, there are encouraging signs that the situation in the worst hit areas in the Eastern Cape is stabilising.

After pulling over and inspecting a suspicious-looking vehicle recently, two SAPS officers patrolling the KwaMagwaza area of KwaZulu-Natal were surprised to discover that it contained nine people, four antelope carcasses, an axe, two shotguns, ten live shotgun rounds and a pistol with a magazine with two live rounds.

Stock theft cost South Africa’s farmers hundreds of millions of rand last year and many Eastern Cape stock farmers believe they are losing the battle against stock thieves.

Fairtrade in South Africa has experienced dramatic growth over the past few years and the annual Fairtrade Week currently taking place is set to further increase Fairtrade awareness among local consumers and boost sales.

Local wine sales have not kept up with the growth in wine exports from SA and, with the industry optimistic about further export growth and the penetration of new markets in 2013, it’s likely that local sales will continue to lag behind.

The impact of the drought in SA’s central grain-producing areas is gaining momentum and is already being reflected in a sharp increase in maize prices.

Agricultural leaders are sceptical that President Jacob Zuma’s plans to speed up land reform and re-open land claims, in order to accommodate pre-June 1913 claims by Khoi and San descendents, will get financial backing from treasury.

The Free State needed a programme to highlight the importance of rural safety to society, Free State premier Ace Magashule said on Thursday.

Re-opening the land restitution process is not the answer to deal with issues such as addressing the legacy of the dispossession of land from the Khoi and the San people, according to Dr Theo de Jager, Agri SA deputy president.

According to the much anticipated and delayed audit of agricultural land in South Africa, the state owned 22% of the land while 78% was in private ownership.

The South African Hunters and Game Conservation Association has warned owners of firearms used for self-protection to ensure that they apply for the renewal of licenses issued in terms of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000, at least 90 days before the licenses were due to expire.

Dairy farmers delivering milk to Clover can look forward to an increase in the producer price for milk from 1 March 2013.