ACDP Parliamentary newsletter - 17 September 2003
In this issue:
1. Zimbabwe far from free
2. Organic farming systems the way to go
3. ACDP votes against Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Bill
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1. Zimbabwe far from free
Motion by ACDP MP (NCOP) Kent Durr in the National Council of Provinces
16 September 2003
The House notes the most recent violation of Press Freedom in Zimbabwe with the closure by the Zimbabwean police and courts of the only independent newspaper that was left in that country, namely the Daily News.
The House notes that this flies in the face of recent assurances given also to South Africa on the subject of freedom of expression in Zimbabwe.
The House notes that the ageing tyrant, Robert Mugabe's rule, has made life unbearable for ordinary people and that the state is becoming dysfunctional with rogue state characteristics, where the government has become a predator upon its own people.
The House calls upon our government to take whatever steps may be wise and necessary to end this nightmare for the Zimbabwean people. Including encouraging Zimbabwe to move towards arranging a full and fair transparent general election as soon as possible, with possible inter-party co-operation thereafter.
The House notes that it was the action of the South African government at the time that forced the Rhodesian Front to the negotiating table and that the South African government should now again use its leverage for change in that country.
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2. Organic farming systems the way to go
Speech by African Christian Democratic Party MP Cheryllyn Dudley
The ACDP is in general agreement with observations and recommendations made by the Agriculture and Land Affairs Portfolio Committee in their Report on
the Food Security Hearings. Food shortages in Africa are a complex
interplay of factors including drought, poverty, lack of transport and storage infrastructure, and political instability.
An important issue, which, we believe should have received greater emphasis is Genetically Modified Crops since Genetic engineering has serious implications for sustainable agriculture and food security and cannot offer solutions in Africa.
There is increasing concern over the potential health and environmental hazards posed by genetically engineered seeds, with lack of genetic diversity increasing vulnerability to pests and disease, monopoly control of seeds resulting in fewer types of seeds being available, and gene transfer to domestic relatives and wild plants producing "superweeds".
For centuries farmers have followed a tradition of saving, adapting and exchanging seed, which has promoted biodiversity and food security. If a farmer loses the ability to save seed he or she cannot continue to select plants best adapted to local conditions and needs. Seeds evolve with communities and if farmers lose control over their seeds, they lose control over their farming system and become dependent.
A European Union study leaked to Greenpeace, states that all farmers would face high additional, and in some cases unsustainable costs of production if genetically engineered (GE) crops were commercially grown on a large scale in Europe. The EU has a five-year ban on approving new biotech crops.
South Africa buys and sells to the EU, which is our primary market. If they have rejected GE crops, why would we even consider them? Why would South Africa want to produce what people do not want? To ignore the findings of the EU with their enormous research capacity, is decidedly unwise, especially considering the presently substantially eroded research capacity of South Africa due to government under funding.
Even Zambia has had the good sense to refuse GE maize for fear of the health effects of consuming it, and the fear of contamination of local varieties,
not to mention the loss of export markets in Europe. The ACDP commends
them on their foresight in this regard.
Organic farming systems are the traditional farming systems of Africa and the way to go. If we pollute food genetically there will simply be no market.
Keeping in mind that South Africa is the 3rd most bio-diverse country in the world, it is unthinkable that we would consider sacrificing this awesome
privilege. South Africa has also managed to remain one of the 7 net food
producers in the world despite poor soil and low rainfall and it would be tragic to knowingly jeopardize this outstanding achievement.
In conclusion, it remains to be said that pending legislation giving the Minister powers to expropriate land without a court order will gravely undermine South Africa's present agricultural stability and therefore food security. When land has no value, no one can produce, there is no interest, no food, no investment, no rural wealth and no rural development.
Government actions and statements, which erode the value of land and private property, sabotage the wealth of the nation.
For more information: Cheryllyn Dudley MP at 082 890 6520
Media Liaison: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307 National Media Director: Rev. Selby Khumalo at 082 476 4990
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3. Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Bill debate
Speech by African Christian Democratic Party MP Cheryllyn Dudley
The ACDP recognises the need for Accelerated Land Reform in South Africa and supports endeavours to find fair and reasonable solutions regarding land restitution. We acknowledge the need to address injustices of the past and appreciate the difficulties faced by the Minister and the department in dealing with these highly emotive issues, which drastically impact the lives of all concerned.
We cannot however, condone the drastic measures provided for in this bill, which will undermine stability, food security, future growth and development in South Africa. The African Christian Democratic Party is unconvinced by the department's claims that these powers are necessary to deal with "obstructionist cases".
Land claims courts exist for the purpose of deciding conflict between parties and it is unacceptable for the minister to bypass the courts for the sake of convenience. Ministerial powers to expropriate land without a court order have no place in a democratic South Africa.
Perceived property rights in South Africa have been a major factor influencing agricultural stability to date. Whatever the intention, this legislation will certainly impact on the value of land and lead to a situation where both new and old farmers have severely diminished assets, with negative consequences for all.
The power to take all the land government wanted did not lead to prosperity or productivity, in Angola, Zimbabwe or Mozambique and instead you can't even give away the land. When land has no value, no one can produce, there is no interest, no food, no investment, no rural wealth and no rural development. Without good land prices, farmers have no collateral to access finance for production, and there is no incentive to invest in agriculture.
If rural prosperity does not accompany land reform surely the objective will have been defeated! It will be devastating if previously disadvantaged South African's, who have waited so long for a time such as this, become the proud owners of land, which has no value.
Land restitution is a sensitive issue and this heavy-handed approach does not auger well for a united and productive South Africa. Farmers are an important part of the food chain, producing and distributing food in and outside of South Africa. This major source of wealth and foreign exchange is an asset that is at risk of being crippled by not only the realities, but also the perceptions created by this legislation.
The African Christian Democratic Party will vote against this bill.
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