Two commercial farmer unions are to meet Agriculture and Land Affairs Minister Lulu Xingwana this week to discuss a stand-off over remarks she made late last year.
In a statement, AgriSA and the National African Farmers’ Union of South Africa (Nafusa) said ”some misunderstanding” had arisen on the matter.
AgriSA and the Transvaal Agricultural Union have accused Xingwana of implying that human rights abuses are rife on farms in a Christmas message last year.
In the message, she called on farmers to refrain from evicting workers.
Two planned meetings between AgriSA and the minister to resolve their differences have since failed to go ahead.
In Wednesday’s statement, AgriSA and Nafusa said they met on Tuesday to discuss the matter.
”It is regrettable that some misunderstanding occurred and harm was done to the sector by the way in which this issue was handled.”
Both unions said they remained committed to working together in the best interests of the agricultural sector.
Discussions between the parties and minister should continue.
”Such discussions will take place this week,” the statement read. — Sapa