Agri SA was established in 1904 as the South African Agricultural Union. At present it serves some 70 000 large and small-scale commercial farmer members.

MISSION OF AGRI SA
          
Agri South Africa (Agri SA) is a federal organisation, which promotes on behalf of its members, the sustainable profitability and stability of commercial agricultural producers and agribusinesses through its involvement and input on national and international level.

THE ORGANISATION

Organisational Structure

AGRI SA's EXECUTIVE

Deputy President	Vice-president	Vice-president	Vice-president
	Chair: General Affairs Chamber	Chair: Commodity Chamber	Chair: Agricultural Business Chamber
Theo de Jager	Louw Steytler	Neels Ferreira	Corwyn Botha
AGRI SA's DIRECTORATE             Executive Director                   Hans van der Merwe
Deputy Executive Director	Director	Director	Director
Economics & Trade	Natural Resources	Corporate Liaison	Finance & Administration
Johan Pienaar	Nic Opperman	Kobus Visser	Willie Jacobs
	Portfolio Manager	Portfolio Manager
	Parliamentary Liaison & Land Affairs	Labour & Training
	Annelize Crosby	Kobus Kleynhans

AGRI SA's CONTACT DETAILS

FOCUS-AREAS

Trade and Industry

To promote the welfare of agriculture, also within the trade environment and specifically as part of the supply chain of food and fiber products, the following are typical areas which receive attention:

• Participation in the development of a Competition Act and the monitoring of competition practices.
• Input with regard to an agricultural trade policy to, inter alia, the National Department of Agriculture (NDA) with a view to a level playing field for the local sector.
• Participation in the development of the Trade Administration Act in order to facilitate an acceptable procedure for, among other things, applications for import tariffs on importable agricultural products.
• Participation in developments around the Proudly South African campaign.
• Evaluation of trade agreements, for example between South Africa and the European Union (SA/EU) and that in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), in terms of their influence on agriculture.
• Representation in the National Economic Development an Labour Council (NEDLAC), the International Federation of Agricultural Producers, (IFAP) and the Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions (SACAU) in order to promote the interests of South African farmers.
• Input with regard to the development of an industrial development strategy that provides for the needs of agriculture.

Economic Affairs

In order to influence the income statement of agriculture and individual farmers in terms of the cost structure of inputs, financing and taxation as favourably as possible, the following are examples of aspects periodically receiving attention:

• The fuel concession for which farmers qualify at present.
• Input with regard to the development of a risk and disaster management policy.
• The quantification of damage emanating from natural disasters, and negotiation for government assistance.
• Capital gains tax and also specifically an equitable dispensation for farmhouses in this regard.
• The financial effect of the sectoral determination and specifically minimum wages on agriculture.
• The tax dispensation for agriculture, such as the writing off of farming losses against external income, and change in year-ends.
• The influence of property tax on agriculture.
• The position of Land Bank in terms of agricultural financing, i.e. interest rates, bank statements and outstanding loans, etc.
• The price movements of agricultural inputs and relevant legislation, also specifically in respect of the price movements of electricity.
• Support with statistical surveys and the interpretation thereof.

A crime-free environment is a logical prerequisite for production, investment and rural development. In this regard the focus on the following aspects is of importance:

• A farm-access protocol - that was accepted by government structures and the security forces - has already been implemented.
• An information document on the handling of farm invasions was compiled and distributed with the assistance of the security forces.
• The position of the commando structure and future dispensation is being clarified with the authorities to prevent a void from developing in respect of rural security.
• The restructuring of police stations in rural areas.
• An independent investigation committee was appointed at the request of Agri SA to look at possible motives behind farm attacks.
• Incidents of intimidation during threatening farm invasions are monitored and dealt with by security forces.
• Input towards a revised police reservist policy.
• The monitoring of the general crime situation in the country as well as in rural areas.
• Legislation on the appointment of parole boards.
• The evaluation of security systems and recommendations in this regard.
• Regular liaison with the National Stock Theft Committee.
• Interaction with the Agri Securitas Trust with respect to possible safety projects in rural areas.

Water was identified as a matter that justifies designated and constant attention. The following typical actions have yielded positive results or have facilitated ongoing involvement:

• Approval was obtained from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) for the phasing in of maintenance and operating costs relating to state water schemes over a period of five years.
• The introduction of moratoriums on water tariff increases was negotiated with DWAF for the transformation of state water canal schemes into water user associations.
• After an agreement was reached with DWAF, the depreciation costs recovered by state water schemes were limited to 1c per cubic meter annually for a period of three years.
• The levy for the Work-for-Water Program was limited to 10% of actual costs in consultation with the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry.
• Waste management, licensing of water-use rights and a National Water Resource Strategy still form part of the on-going implementation of the Water Act.

Ongoing liaison with local authorities in respect of the following policy and operational matters is an example of related aspects being dealt with:

• An inadequate rural road infrastructure and the deterioration thereof.
• The under-provision of rail infrastructure at peak times and the lack of maintenance thereof, which have a cost effect on agriculture.
• The standardisation of tractor and trailer licensing tariffs and the administrative system involved.
• An exclusion clause in the Road Traffic Act for the transportation of small quantities of hazardous substances for agriculture.
• Problems with the handling of freight at harbours and the cost-increasing effect thereof on exports.
• The establishment of effective communication infrastructure.
• The financial impact of toll fees on the transport costs of agricultural products and inputs, and the application for a national toll concession.
• The safety of road users on national routes.
• The promotion of agriculture's position in terms of participation in local government structures.
• The standardisation of vehicle specifications.
• Negotiations of a standard mailbox rental for bona fide farmers.

Labour is the biggest single cost item in the agricultural sector and therefore requires constant attention.  Over the years, Agri SA has built up and maintained a wide liaison network across the full spectrum of labour policy, labour legislation and labour practice.  This includes:

• Ongoing interaction with the Department of Labour at senior management level;

• Member of the National Economic Development and Labour Council’s (NEDLAC) labour market chamber since the inception of the body;

• Member of BUSA’s social committee;

• Involved in several BUSA and NEDLAC working groups, especially where labour policy is threshed out;

• Provision of standard employment contracts for members, with supporting documentation according to statutory prescripts;

• Keeps informed of events in the international labour arena (International Labour Organisation);

• Special attention to labour matters relating to international trade arrangements (labour standards, occupational safety on farms, child labour);

• Training and advice regarding labour law and practice;

• Training strategy for farm workers;

•  Policy and strategy for farm worker housing; and

•  Media liaison and enquiries.

The importance of land as production factor in agriculture and the position it occupies within political thinking necessitate:

• Ongoing liaison with the Department of Land Affairs in terms of the development of a general framework for implementing land reform and the search for solutions to accompanying problems.
• Commentary on and submission of input towards the development of relevant legislation (e.g. Restitution Act, Security of Tenure Act and the Labour Tenants Act).
• Investigation into the implications of the Extension of Security of Tenure Act on the employment of workers in agriculture as was done in collaboration with the University of Stellenbosch.
• Representations to government that resulted in the swift and successful removal of unlawful squatters at Bredell (Gauteng).
• Support as e.g. friend of the court (amicus curiae) in certain lawsuits (e.g. the Modderklip case regarding the state's responsibility in the event of the unlawful occupation of commercial agricultural land).

Actions relating to environmental affairs are aimed at implementing principles of sustainable development as formulated  internationally and prescribed in South African legislation. These include:

• Representation and participation in the activities of the United Nation's Commission for Sustainable Development.
• Participation in the revision of legislation and regulations that regulate environment-related issues (e.g. veld fires and the control of pests).
• Gaining influence regarding the functions of LandCare Committees of the Department of Agriculture (NDA).
• Commentary on mining legislation and application problems.
• Participation in the Work-for-Water Programme for the purpose of removing undesirable alien trees through job creation programmes and improving the flow of rivers.
• Participation in the formulation of a Farmer's Charter as envisaged by the NDA and accepted in principle at the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

The competitiveness of agriculture is largely dependant on the development and application of up-to-date technology. Therefore Agri SA pays attention to:

• The furthering of cooperation between the financiers, service providers and users of technology within the structure of the National Agricultural Research Forum (NARF).
• The identification of problem areas with research services through surveys under commodity affiliates.
• The discussion of solutions for problems related to the financing of research, intellectual property rights, the loss of research expertise and related issues in various forums.
• The facilitation of liaison between the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and commodity groups.

Given Agri SA's mission, the promotion of a competitive environment for the sector as a whole is vital. However, it was realised that focused attention on Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) is also needed at national level. In this regard current initiatives and actions include the following:

• The establishment of a Development Desk to capture land-related BEE in a coordinated, national database.
• Identification of new opportunities for BEE in agriculture.
• Facilitation  transfer of land within the context of orderly law enforcement and functioning markets.
• Development of  appropriate support measures in conjunction with the government and private sector.
• Promotion of the concept of mentorship and joint projects in the agricultural sector.

Agri SA maintains a network of relationships, promotes understanding and insight on the part of interested parties and creates partnerships when these are deemed conducive to future of its members. The section Corporate Liaison Services helps to maintain, enhance and promote these relationships. The following actions are aimed at promoting internal and external relationships:

• An A4-glossy magazine AGRI is mailed on a two-monthly basis directly to approximately 31 500 members.
• A weekly electronic newsletter is distributed to members per e-mail and fax.
• Production of Landbou-oorsig, an in-house radio production for broadcast on Radiosondergrense (RSG) on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 12:30 - 12:45.
• Input towards an agricultural television programme and other TV programmes as well as radio programmes.
• Various media liaison actions in collaboration with sponsors, e.g. media days, meetings with farmers, media conferences, media visits to farm and meetings with media leaders.
• Image-building activities, exhibitions and functions and events..
• Issuing of media statements and other relevant information.
• Monitoring of  parliamentary processes and facilitating liaison with parliament.
• Recruitment of sponsors.
• Internal and external liaison and communication.

The importance of an adequate physical infrastructure for economic and rural development and competitive agricultural production is self-evident. Ongoing liaison, also specifically with local authorities in respect of the following policy and operational matters is an example of related aspects being dealt with:

• The establishment of effective communication infrastructure.
• The promotion of agriculture's position in terms of participation in local government structures.
• Negotiations of a standard mailbox rental for bona fide farmers.