Photo: FW Archive
Numerous complaints have been received from farmers since the lockdown to contain the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) global pandemic, about law enforcement authorities threatening to stop livestock auctions.
This is despite the announcement by the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza, that auctions could continue during the lockdown period.
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According to Koos van der Ryst, chairperson of the Red Meat Producers’ Organisation, the organisation had received numerous complaints, but added that he was not aware of any auctions that had been cancelled as a result.
“The only auctions that were cancelled were due to other reasons, such as a lack of buyers and sellers.”
Anton Vos, managing director of Vleissentraal, concurred, saying that these threats had been common in the western Free State and in the Northern Cape.
According to Van der Ryst, this could be attributed to the law enforcement authorities in these regions’ interpretation of the regulations that had been published.
“Currently, there is [some] discrepancy in terms of the interpretations of the regulations that were published. According to police regulations, auctions may not be held, but according to the Minister’s announcement it is allowed.”
He added that in some areas it could also be attributed to malicious action by police.
According to Vos, the current situation created a great level of uncertainty.
“There are farmers who want to cancel auctions because they are afraid; nobody wants to go to jail. Some of Vleissentraal’s marketers are also uncertain [about] whether they are operating within the regulations. All of this is creating uncertainty in the industry.”
Vos, however, stressed that auctions would continue during the lockdown period, and would only be stopped once a formal letter was received from the Agricultural Produce Agents Council (APAC), or if Didiza or President Cyril Ramaphosa publicly stated that auctions could no longer be held.
He also stressed that Vleissentraal was doing everything in its power to ensure that the company’s auctions operated within the restrictions and regulations set out in the Disaster Management Act.
In the meantime, he cautioned farmers against paying attention to “fake news” circulated on social media.
Van der Ryst told Farmer’s Weekly that the situation was currently being addressed through the industry task team set up by Didiza.
“We hope to get clarity on the matter soon.”
