Agriculture Department rejects claims of regulatory collapse in fertilisers and farm feeds

THE Department of Agriculture (DoA) has dismissed claims by the Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai) that the regulatory system responsible for approving fertilisers, pesticides, farm feeds and veterinary products is facing a "total administrative breakdown.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

This follows a strongly worded letter of demand sent by Saai's attorneys to the Minister of Agriculture, the department, and the Registrar of Act 36, calling for urgent intervention.

In its statement, the department on Monday said it had taken note of what it described as "misleading public statements" made by an agricultural lobby group regarding delays and inefficiencies in processing applications governed by the Fertilisers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act.

It stressed that despite challenges, the system was not in a state of collapse. "Upon assuming office, the Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, indicated that the backlogs and inefficiencies around the process would receive attention," said the department.