The DG of Department of Water Affairs, Ms Pam Yako, delivered a presentation to the portfolio committees on water and environment affairs, agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

The presentation is available for download here

Rift Valley Fever has not only caused extensive stock losses over the past few months, but has led to the tragic death of a number of South Africans. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) this past week presented a report to the Portfolio Committee in Parliament on this mosquito-transmitted disease. Agribusinesses are strongly advised to be fully aware of the possible incidence and impact of this disease in their region, so please refer to the following presentation on Rift Valley Fever.

The Competition Tribunal adjudicates competition matters, in accordance with the act and has jurisdiction throughout South Africa.  It is independent and subjected to the constitution and the law.

The Minister of Economic Development, Minister Patel, presented on South Africa's response framework on the global economic crisis to the Portfolio Committee and Select COmmittee in Parliament.

The response framework will have significant impact on the national economy and ABC members are strongly advised to go through this presentation.

Download the presentation by Minister Patel, by clicking here

The department of Labour presented to the Portfolio Committee on Economic Development on the Labour Law Review.

The context of the review and recommended amendment relates to a number of factors that include experience in implementing legislation that has highlighted certain problem areas in law and in its administration, Court rulings and developments in case law that have pointed to necessary changes and areas for clarification in labour legislation and to align our legislation with changes in the labour market.

To download the presentation, please click here

The South African Local Government Association presented to the Portfolio Committe on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs on the effects of migration and urbanisation on local government.

What the presenters do not realise is that this type of information is not only important and valuable to decision makers of local government and service delivery issues, but also to business planning and economic development.

The migration trend into South Africa – both legal and illegal, together with the urbanisation trend observed in South Africa is a very important consideration for agribusinesses. Both these factors indicated where the off take of consumer products will be as well as the volumes demanded.

Please read this presentation carefully to obtain an understanding of the migration and urbanisation trend affecting your business. Click here to download the document

PARLIAMENTARY PROGRAMME FRAMEWORK 2010

As agreed to by the Joint Programme Committee on 4 November 2009

FIRST TERM	SECOND TERM
January – March Leave Period                                                                                                             4 – 10 January                                        Constituency Period                                                                                                11 - 22 January   Committee Period                                                                                                   25 Jan – 10 Feb   Members’ training                                                                                          President’s state-of-the-nation address (Joint Sitting)                                     11 February   Debate on President’s state-of-the-nation address                                           15  February Reply by the President on the state-of-the-nation address                              16  February   Budget speech (NA) & introduction of Division of Revenue Bill                      17 February (Including tabling of Fiscal Framework, Appropriation Bill)                 Plenaries/Committees                                                                                             March NA debate on Fiscal Framework                                                                             2  March                                                  NA plenary on Division of Revenue Bill                                                                      4  March   Tabling of departmental strategic plans                                                                  March                                      NCOP plenary on Division of Revenue Bill                                                             March                                                                                                                                                                         Constituency Period                                                                                                 29 Mar – 9 April	April –  July       Debates on budget votes                                                                             13 – 23 April   Constituency Period                                                                                     26 - 30 April   Decision on budget vote by NA                                                                    27 May Decision on budget by NCOP                                                                      4  June   Youth Parliament                                                                                        June   Constituency Period                                                                                     7 June – 16 July
THIRD TERM	FOURTH TERM
July – September   Committees/Oversight                                                                              19 July – 6 August   Women’s Parliament                                                                            August   Plenaries/Committees                                                                            10 Aug – 22 Sept   People’s Assembly                                                                              September   Constituency period                                                                 23 September – 8 October	October – November   Committees (Budget Review Recommendations Reports)                     11 - 22 October   Plenaries/Committees                                                                             October   2010 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement                                         October   Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Adjustment Appropriation Bill    Plenaries/Committees                                                                            Up to 26 November          Constituency period                                                                 29 November – 10                                                                                                                December   Leave period                                                                                           13 December –  January                                                                                                                2011

Note:

National Assembly                                                                                                                               National Council of Provinces

The deadline for the referral of the Division of Revenue Bill to the NCOP is 2 March                             Taking Parliament to the People (Address by the Deputy President):  22 – 26 March

The NA would continue with budget votes debates from 4 May                                                              Provincial Week (Proposed):  19 – 23 April

                                                                                                                                                                Taking Parliament to the People – Report-back/ Follow-up visits by NCOP:  17 – 19 August

                                                                                                                                                                Taking Parliament to the People (Annual address by the President of the Republic): 

                                                                                                                                                               1- 5 November

The Land Bank Annual Report (2008/09) was presented to the Joint Meeting for PC on Finance and Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries in Parliament.

The presentation gives complete detail on the turnaround strategy and the results of the turnaround strategy. The financial performance, as on 30 September 2009, is presented. Further some critical legacy issues are explained; forensic investigations, resuscitation of distressed development farmers, interest claims and the fruitless and wasteful expenditure

The very informative presentation on the Land Bank’s annual report can be downloaded by clicking here.