Agri SA will continue to pursue all credible avenues to protect the interests of farmers and farming communities, including challenging an amendment of section 25 in court. Decision by parliament is not the final step in the process, and there is time and legal remedies remaining to halt an amendment.
“The protection of property rights is absolutely critical to investment, food security and indeed sustainable agrarian reform,” said Annelize Crosby, Agri SA Head: Land. “It is neither desirable, nor necessary to amend section 25 of the Constitution. Agri SA maintains that very negative consequences may follow any major change to section 25. This includes the negative impact on land values that in turn endangers production finance to commercial and emerging farmers.”
Agri SA has been active in various fora to make its position known, and has presented its position to parliament, government officials, political parties and members of the international diplomatic community. Agri SA is also part the Presidential Advisory Panel to bring workable solutions to the table.
Agri SA remains committed to its stated position of opposing amendments to the Constitution to allow for expropriation without compensation (EWC).
“We are at a critical juncture in our history with regards to the land question and we urgently have to deal with the aspirations as well as the fears of all South Africans regarding this sensitive matter,” said Dan Kriek, Agri SA President. “A line has been drawn in the sand and Agri SA will do everything in its power to protect the interest of producers.”
Enquiries:
Annelize Crosby
Agri SA Head: Land
(C) 082 388 0017
Dan Kriek
Agri SA President
(C) 082 944 0566
Omri van Zyl
Agri SA Executive director
(C) 082 417 5724
Pierre Vercueil
Agri SA Deputy president
(C) 082 524 8636
