Legislation
One of the core functions of Agbiz is to represent the interests of its members in terms of policy and legislation matters. Agbiz has developed a strong relationship over the years with relavant government departments by way of ongoing and professional interaction. Through its direct participation, Agbiz is able to influence policy makers at the highest level.
Some of the key activities include:
- Policy and legislative analysis and formulation of members' responses.
- Submission of members' collective views on matters of concern to government departments.
- Lobbying of and advocacy to relevant government departments and Parliament.
- Representing Agbiz and its members on statutory and other structures, such as the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) through BUSA, and parliamentary portfolio committees.
Over recent years, Agbiz has focused primarily on the following important aspects:
- Economic policy
- Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP)
- Land Reform (including Expropriation Bill, PDALFA Bill, RALH Bill, LRA Bill, SPLUMA, EST Amendment Bill, Communal Land Bill, etc.)
- B-BBEE Amendment Act and CoGP
- AgriBEE Charter Council and AgriBEE Sector Code(s)
- Co-operatives Amendment Bill
- Consumer Protection Act (GM Labelling)
- Competition Commission (Information Exchange issue)
- Labour Legislation (including National Minimum Wage (NMW)
- Climate Change, Carbon Tax and Waste Management
- Energy and Electricity Policy (including IEP, IRP, REIPP, etc.)
- Water Policy (NWRSv2)
- National Policy on Intellectual Property
- National Infrastructure Development and National Road Traffic Act