Mohair SA has recently applied for the establishment of statutory measures to ensure that all roleplayers in the mohair supply chain are registered at this organisation. Schalk Burger from the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) said that all roleplayers are in favour of the proposed measures, as they will help streamline the industry.
“If the statutory measures are approved, Mohair will be able to force producers, brokers, traders and processors and exporters who don’t belong to the organisation at the moment, to join,” he said. “Roleplayers will then also be obliged to provide the organisation with information, which would help to ensure continuous, timely and accurate statistics and information relating to the characteristics and the marketing and sale of mohair.
This would also help the industry make better strategic decisions and plans.” he application for statutory measures to provide statutory mechanisms for record-keeping and furnishing returns has been forwarded to NAMC, for investigation into the possible establishment of the relevant measures. I t’s envisaged that the proposed statutory measures will be published in the Government Gazette of 25 July 2008. – Glenneis Erasmus
E Cape farmers to take vulture stock
A vulture awareness day scheduled for 6 September will give Eastern Cape landowners the opportunity to contribute towards the conservation of the and bearded vultures, according to Kate Webster of the Stormberg Raptor Project. “Participants are also going to be asked to count all birds observed between 7am and 1pm on that day and to record their activities,” she said.
“We’d like them to note any other interesting species present and the activity of other birds around the vultures, especially at the vulture restaurants. These could include the marabou stork and, of course, crows.” The day will give interested persons a chance to interact and communicate information which could play a vital role in helping conserve our biodiversity.
While Eastern Cape residents are still lucky to see two of South Africa’s four vulture species, Webster warned they might not do so for long. “There are 10 known vulture restaurants in the province where vultures’ food shortages are supplemented. But studies show that griffon vulture numbers are now below 5 000, with fewer than 1 000 breeding pairs left.”
Reasons for their decline include food shortages, electrocution on power lines, exposure to agro chemicals, poisoning, drowning in farm reservoirs and harvesting for traditional medicine. “Power line collisions and electrocutions often go unnoticed. Many of these birds are lost on the smaller 22kV farm lines that supply farms with electricity,” Webster said. – Roelof Bezuidenhout Contact Kate Webster on 082 702 5942 or e-mail [email protected].
Simonsvlei International gets brand man at the helm
Leonard van den Berg is the new man at the helm of Simonsvlei International, one of SA’s largest wine producers. He arrives with over two decades of experience in areas ranging from fast-moving consumer goods, and alcohol and beverages, to business sectors in local and European markets.
Francois de Manielle, chairperson of Simonsvlei International, said Van den Berg was chosen for his in-depth understanding of branding. D e Manielle explained Van den Berg’s skills would come in handy during the tough economic phase facing the wine industry, due to pressure on the local market from the national wine surplus, curbed consumer spending due to inflation and rising agricultural input costs. – Glenneis Erasmus
