2006-11-22:Media statement from Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs on challenges facing land reform
After several consultations with the Department of Land Affairs’ senior management to review progress in the implementation of key programs and chart a way forward, a number of issues came out such as challenges in the implementation of land reform and restitution programmes, the management and administration of state land and leases, land audits and human resource management, among others. Read more ...
2006-11-20:Appeal to the South African public to assist in the campaign to combat classical swine fever
Due to an intensive campaign to combat Classical Swine Fever in the Eastern Cape Province, large numbers of infected pigs have been culled and the owners have been compensated. The disease persists in only a few small areas and national and provincial veterinary officials, supported by the SAPS, SANDF and Disaster Management are putting in a final effort to eradicate the disease before the campaign comes to an end. During this period the Eastern Cape Province will remain a Classical Swine Fever Controlled Area in terms of the Animal Diseases Act 35 of 1984, as declared on 7 April 2006. Read more ....
2006-11-20:African Horse Sickness in South Africa
Horse owners are alerted to the fact that the African Horse Sickness (AHS) season has started. A few reports of AHS were received and the diagnosis is being confirmed by laboratory tests. Horse owners are urged to ensure that their horses are vaccinated annually as prescribed by the Animal Diseases Act (Act 35 of 1984 ) and that all suspected AHS cases are reported to their nearest State Veterinarian. Read more ...
2006-11-14: Media fails with good news in agriculture
The minster for agriculture in the Western Cape, Cobus Dowry, yesterday made a slashing attack on the media on the deliberate ignorance of the genuine efforts in Agriculture to eradicate the imbalances of the past.
2006-11-13: Farm worker relief fund
Following my earlier statement as well as the press conference by the Acting Premier, Mr Leonard Ramatlakane on the establishment of a relief fund for the next of kin who died in the tragic accident at Faure near Somerset West this morning... read more for account and other details
2006-11-13: Shock at accident which killed at least 19 farm workers
I have learned with shock of the accident at Faure near Somerset West
in which at least 19 contract farm workers were killed and injured when
the truck in which they were transported, collided with a train at a
railway crossing. Read more ....
2006-11-09: Statement by the Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs, Ms Lulu Xingwana at the end of the Ministerial Lekgotla held at Kopanong Conference Centre, Benoni, 2nd - 4th November 2006
2006-11-02:Statement to Provincial legislature by MEC Cobus Dowry on the lifting of ban on importation of SA Ostrich Meat. Read entire statement here...
2006-11-01: European Union lifts ban on importation of South African ostrich meat
The European Union informed South Africa that it accepts the country’s status as free from Highly Pathogenic Notifiable Avian Influenza (HPNAI). The export of fresh ostrich meat can therefore resume as from (today) 1 November 2006, according to the new ostrich protocol. Read more...
2006-10-31: Western Cape Agriculture funds water safety training
Western Cape Agrculture's subprogramme responsible for farm worker matters recently funded a project called Water Wise from the NSRI to train farmworker children in Worcester, Mosselbaai, the Cape Metropole and Knysna in water safety and first aid. Article in Afrikaans. Read more...
2006-10-31: Statement to Provincial Legislature by MEC Cobus Dowry re the lifting of suspension on horse exports from South Africa. Read the complete statement here....
2006-10-30: EU lifts suspension on horse exports from South Africa
The European Commission decision 2004/262/EC of 17 March 2004 which lead to the suspension of equine exports from South Africa, was repealed on Wednesday, 25 October 2006. Read more...
2006-10-26: Department of Agriculture supports Wine Council’s vote against GMO’s
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has decided to side with the SA Wine Council in their opposition against a request to the Registrar: Genetically Modified Organisms for permission to use genetically modified malolactic yeast ML01 for the commercial production of wine in South Africa. Read more...
2006-10-26: Micro Agricultural Financial Institutional Scheme of South Africa (MAFISA)
Minister Cobus Dowry, Minister for Agriculture in the Western Cape, launched the: Micro Agricultural Financial Institutional Scheme of South Africa(MAFISA) in the Western Cape at Elsenburg, today. Read more...
2006-10-19: New dairy parlour supports important industry in Province (English & Afrikaans)
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s Institute for Animal Production recently opened a new state of the art dairy parlour at Elsenburg. “Dairy production is nowadays a highly developed and scientific industry that presents the producer with big challenges,” says Dr Ilse Trautmann, acting head of the Programme: Technology, Research and Development at the Department. Read more...
2006-10-13: National Workshop on the Draft Game (Wildlife) Farming Policy in South Africa
The aim of this workshop is to review the draft policy on Game (Wildlife) Farming by the Department of Agriculture, following its publication for public comments by the Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs in July 2006. The workshop will be held on 30 November 2006. Read more...
2006-10-10: Ostrich production guide published
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with the South African Ostrich Business Chamber (SAOBC) recently released the first ever manual for ostrich production in South Africa. Read more.....
2006-10-05:Information Day at Outeniqua (Afrikaans)
Verskeie kundiges van die Departement het die sowat 200 produsente van die omgewing toegelig rondom die produksiepotensiaal van verskeie gewasse vir melk- en vleisproduksie. Lesings het gefokus op die gebruik van verskillende gewasse vir wei- en kuilvoerdoeleindes. Lees meer....
2006-10-04: Cellarworkers to be trained in coopery in France (Afrikaans)
As deel van die bevordering van vaardigheidsontwikkeling in landbou, het die Departement van Landbou: Wes-Kaap, in samewerking met die wynbedryf (verteenwoordig deur SAWIT), vyf kelderwerkers uit die Provinsie gekies om internasionale ondervinding op te doen met betrekking tot die bestuur en instandhouding van vate. Lees meer.....
2006-08-29 Western Cape farmer is top Female Farmer at National Award Ceremony
The Western Cape is extremely proud of our latest award winning Female Farmer. Jeanne Groenewald who farms with Free Range Chickens in the Grabouw area, has won the title of National Female Farmer of the Year in the category for Female Farmers who produce for the National market. Read more ....
2006-08-24: No Avian Flu outbreak
The Department of Agriculture wants to assure the public that there is no outbreak of the deadly avian influenza (H5N1) in the country! Read more ....
2006-07-14: Mossel Bay Avian Flu outbreak under control
Following the detection of the H5N2 strain of Avian Influenza north-west of Mossel Bay in the Western Cape, surveillance procedures have been carried out within a twenty kilometre radius around infected properties. It is important to note that the inspections and laboratory tests have revealed that the outbreak has remained limited to a couple of adjacent properties. The virus has been classified as type H5N2 which is not known to infect humans unlike the H5N1 virus that has caused disease in humans in Asia, Europe and North Africa. Read more ....
2006-07-13: Worcester/Robertson cleared of African Horse Sickness
Early in April 2006 a temporary ban was imposed on the movement of horses, mules, donkeys and zebras in the Worcester and Robertson magisterial districts. The purpose of this ban was to limit the spread of an outbreak of African Horse Sickness on the border between these districts. Since the last case of the disease was diagnosed four weeks ago Veterinary Services of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture is now in a position to, with effect on Friday 14 July 2006, lift the ban. Read more ....
2006-07-06: Avian Influenza has limited effect on export of meat
Various measures and actions have been instituted to contain the spread of Avian Influenza that has been detected north of Albertinia, between Mossel Bay and Riversdale. After further testing to determine the extent of the outbreak actions to eradicate the disease will be taken. The virus that is responsible for this outbreak has been typed as H5N2 and is not related to the virus that has caused disease in humans in Asia, Europe and North Africa. As far as is known this virus type poses no threat to humans. Read more ....
2006-07-06: Ostrich Meat safe for consumption
Press release by Ostrich Chamber of Business. The European Union has decided to ban the import of ostrich meat from two districts in South Africa following a small outbreak of Avian Influenza on an ostrich farm approximately 30km west of Mossel Bay in the Western Cape Province. The two districts are Mossel Bay and Riversdale. Read more ....
2006-07-05 Further surveillance for Avian Influenza
The Directorate of Veterinary Services of the Department of Agriculture in the Western Cape is well on track with the survey to determine if, apart from the one incident on the ostrich farm near Mossel Bay, there is any indication of active infection of Avian Influenza on ostrich and poultry farms in the surrounding areas. This is done in cooperation
with the National Department of Agriculture and the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute with full cooperation of the ostrich industry. Read more ....
2006-06-03 Small outbreak of Avian Influenza
A small outbreak of Avian Influenza was detected on an ostrich farm approximately 30km west of Mossel Bay in the Western Cape Province. After a few ostriches became sick, swift reaction by private veterinarians and laboratories ensured that the outbreak was rapidly reported to the government veterinary authorities. Read more ....
2006-06-23: Agriculture does its bit for housing with the creation of a green environment
A new low-cost housing development at Panorama outside Riversdal was visited today by Premier Rasool and Minister Dyantyi. This housing project at Panorama will at completion consist of 387 housing units and approximately 54 youths will be employed to do building, painting, plastering, roof work, etc. The Department of Agriculture, however also has an involvement and I am particularly proud today on the contribution of the commercial sector to the project, with the generous donation of fruit-trees. Today 5 Pioneer Plum Trees will also symbolically be planted at the project by the Premier, myself and Minister Dyantyi. These trees are part of a delivery of 800 trees that will in due course be planted here. Read more ....
2006-06-16: Historic agreement signed in Stellenbosch - road forward for Jonkershoek
In view of the problems with evictions from the Jonkershoek Area affecting the farming community it was decided to have a meeting to resolve the matter and to look at ways and means for a possible longer term solution. A meeting took place on 13 June 2006 at Elsenburg and was attended by amongst others, representatives from the Jonkershoek Crisis Committee, COSATU, Agri Western Cape, Mountain to Ocean (Pty) Ltd, Stellenbosch Municipality, Stellenbosch Landbou Genootskap, Women on Farms and the Departments of Agriculture and Land Affairs and the Office of the Premier. An agreement was reached and signed today. REad more....
2006-06-06 Road forward for Jonkershoek
The meeting to discuss and plot the way forward with regard to evictions and matters pertaining land tenure in Jonkershoek, took place in good spirit today. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Jonkershoek Crisis Committee, COSATU, Agri Western Cape, Stellenbosch Municipality, Stellenbosch Landbou Genootskap, Women on Farms,SAFCOL,DWAF, the Departments of Agriculture and Land Affairs. Read more ....
2006-05-23:Status report on African Horse Sickness
Almost six weeks ago the fact that cases of African Horse Sickness were detected in the Worcester and Robertson districts of the Western Cape Province was made public. Read more.
2006-05-22 Didiza to head public works
Johannesburg - President Thabo Mbeki has appointed a new agriculture
and lands minister in a cabinet reshuffle prompted by the death earlier
this month of Stella Sigcau, the presidency said on Monday. Read more.
2006-05-12: Official launch of agricultural an agri-business strategy
One of the commitments undertaken at the Provincial Growth and Development Summit, held on 14 November 2003, was that strategies should be developed for certain key sectors of the Western Cape economy, one of them being agriculture. The final agreement on a agri-business strategy was released during a Business Breakfast on 12 May 2006. more
2006-04-12:African Horse sickness in Robertson district
The status of the suspect case of African Horse Sickness (AHS) on a property in the Worcester district, and bordering on the Robertson district, of the Western Cape Province is unchanged. An investigation on the ground is progressing well and further laboratory tests are still to be completed. Read more. Situation reports also available at this link.
2006-04-05: Our agricultural land is our heritage and responsibility
Speech delivered by Mr Cobus Dowry at the launch of Agri Review Western Cape. Read complete speech here
2006-03-30:Emerging farmers in Groothoek, Pacaltsdorp the beneficiaries of a mechanisation centre
The 59 families on this farm will now have the full use of equipment to the value of 'n R516 000 purchased by the Department of Agriculture which include a lorry, tractor, plough, weed extractor, mulcher, tiller and a spray-pump..... read more.
2006-02-23:Dowry: "Farmers need predictability in power cuts"
Farmers are heavily affected by the power cuts that has become a part of life in the Western Cape. "However, and much to the dismay of farmers, farmer associations and organised agriculture, the power cuts continued well over established and agreed upon times with areas such as the Koue-Bokkeveld without electricity yesterday and today." Fruit and wine producers are particularly reliant on electricity for cooling facility and fermentation processes.
Read more ....
2006-02-12: Western Cape involvement in the avian influenza in Nigeria
Avian Influenza has been diagnosed in Nigeria and the International Animal Health Organisation, the OIE, together with the Food and Agricultural Organisation FAO and the World Health Organization wants to urgently send a team of experts to Nigeria to assess what the situation is.
Dr James Kitching and Dr Marna Sinclair from the Western Cape Department of Agriculture will be leaving today to join in this mission.
Press release by Mr Cobus Dowry, MEC for Agriculture Western Cape. Read more here.
