The draft black empowerment document for agriculture, AgriBEE, has been published for public comment, the Department of Agriculture said on Tuesday.
The document, which elicited strong reaction from the agricultural industry, was first launched in July.
Departmental spokesperson Steve Galane said the call for comments was in addition to comment the department has already received since the document’s launch.
The document was available on the department’s website at www.nda.agric.za.
”Interested parties are hereby invited to furnish written comments and representations concerning the draft framework by December 20, 2004 to the Department of Agriculture,” Galane said.
In July, Agriculture Minister Thoko Didiza said at the launch of the framework that the document ”should be seen as a guide to help us work together in finding solutions that will reverse the inequities that are still prevalent in our society, particularly in the economic sphere”.
The minister proposed various targets including a 30% black ownership of agricultural land by 2014, and making a further 20% of agricultural land available to black people through leaseholds.
The document also proposes that land be made available for use by farm workers in an attempt to address poverty alleviation.
The document was widely criticised by organised agriculture. Agri SA’s president Japie Grobler said it had come as an unpleasant surprise.
He said the document contained proposals that were not discussed with AgriSA.
”Although we have the opportunity to discuss and negotiate the terms of this charter over the next three months, I am concerned that the present version will contribute towards unattainable expectations, especially considering that we have to respect market forces and other limiting realities,” he said.
Grobler was also concerned the draft document deviated from principles agreed to in the sector strategy.
The Freedom Front Plus said the document proposed unrealistic time frames, placed too little emphasis on productivity and created unachievable expectations. – Sapa