APAC HELP OM EKONOMIESE GROEI IN DIE LEWENDEHAWESEKTOR TE BEVORDER / THE ROLE OF APAC IN FOSTERING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE LIVESTOCK SECTOR
APAC HELP OM EKONOMIESE GROEI IN DIE LEWENDEHAWESEKTOR TE BEVORDER
In die dinamiese landskap van landbou speel regulatoriese liggame ‘n deurslaggewende rol om regverdigheid, deursigtigheid en nakoming van standaarde te verseker. Die Landbouprodukte-agenteraad (APAC), wat ingevolge die Landbouprodukte-agente Wet, 1992 (Wet 12 van 1992) in Suid-Afrika daargestel is, tree op as ‘n bewaker van integriteit binne die landbousektor.
Met ‘n mandaat om varsprodukte, lewendehawe en uitvoer-agente te reguleer, speel APAC ‘n deurslaggewende rol om die belange van belanghebbendes te beskerm en ekonomiese groei moontlik te maak.
APAC werk onder die vaandel van die nasionale Departement van Landbou, Grondhervorming en Landelike Ontwikkeling en beliggaam die regering se verbintenis tot doeltreffende oorsig en bestuur in die landbou. Die regulatoriese raamwerk wat deur APAC afgebaken word verseker voldoening aan statutêre vereistes, lisensiebepalings en etiese standaarde binne die veesektor.
Een van die primêre verantwoordelikhede van APAC in die veesektor is om deursigtigheid en integriteit van agente te verseker. In ‘n landskap wat belaai is met uitdagings soos bek-en-klouseer en veediefstal, is APAC se streng inspeksies, sertifiseringsprosesse en afdwinging van standaarde van kardinale belang. Deur die beveiliging van verbruikergesondheid en -vertroue in plaaslik geproduseerde lewendehaweprodukte, speel APAC ‘n deurslaggewende rol in die handhawing van die bedryf se veerkragtigheid teen hierdie uitdagings.
Die veebedryf in Suid-Afrika spog met ‘n ryk genetiese basis wat uit oorspronklike inheemse en uitheemse bees-, skaap en bokrasse bestaan. Volgens die Departement van Landbou, Grondhervorming en Landelike Ontwikkeling is daar 12.8 miljoen beeste, 19.4 miljoen skape en 3 miljoen bokke in die sektor, wat beteken dat dit ‘n aansienlike deel van die land se landbou-landskap opneem. APAC se regulatoriese oorsig strek verder as plaaslike grense en fasiliteer toegang van Suid-Afrikaanse veeprodusente tot internasionale markte.
Verder speel APAC ook ‘n belangrike rol in die bevordering van regverdige handelspraktyke binne die veesektor. Die ekonomiese betekenis van veeproduksie kan nie oorbeklemtoon word nie, aangesien dit nie net voedselproduksie omsluit nie, maar ook die voorsiening van ander rou materiale wat noodsaaklik vir die bevolking is. Op ekonomiese vlak speel die sektor ‘n deurslaggewende rol om werksgeleenthede vir duisende Suid-Afrikaners binne die waardeketting te skep en dit dra tot ‘n groot mate by om die lewensbestane van landelike arm gemeenskappe te verbeter. Met die oorsig oor transaksies, die oplossing van dispute en die afdwinging van etiese optrede van agente, bevorder APAC ‘n gelyke speelveld vir alle belanghebbendes. Dit wek vertroue, stabiliteit en volhoubaarheid binne die veewaardeketting, wat bemoedigend vir lang termyn-beleggings en groei is.
APAC se regulatoriese ingrypings hou verreikende implikasies vir Suid-Afrika se ekonomiese landskap in. Die bruto-waarde van diereproduksie verteenwoordig 46% van landbou se bruto-waarde, wat die sentrale rol van die veesektor in landbouvoorspoed beklemtoon.
As rentmeesters van integriteit en bewakers van groei, speel APAC ‘n belangrike rol in die vorming van die trajek van die veesektor in Suid-Afrika. APAC verseker deur sy regulatoriese mandaat dat daar aan standaarde voldoen word, ekonomiese groei bevorder word en dat die mededingendheid van die plaaslike bedryf verbeter word. APAC vind sy weg deur die hantering van ingewikkelde kwessies binne die moderne landbou-omgewing en dien as sulks as ‘n baken van vertroue, rentmeesterskap en vooruitgang, wat die veesektor rig na ‘n toekoms wat deur voorspoed en volhoubaarheid bepaal word.
Bron : Mnr F Knowles, APAC
THE ROLE OF APAC IN FOSTERING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE LIVESTOCK SECTOR
In the dynamic landscape of agriculture, regulatory bodies play a pivotal role in ensuring fairness, transparency, and adherence to standards. The Agricultural Produce Agents Council (APAC), established under the Agricultural Produce Agents Act, 1992 (Act 12 of 1992) in South Africa, stands as a guardian of integrity within the agricultural sector.
With a mandate to regulate fresh produce, livestock, and export agents, APAC plays a crucial role in safeguarding the interests of stakeholders and facilitating economic growth.
APAC operates under the auspices of the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), embodying the government’s commitment to effective oversight and governance in agriculture. The regulatory framework delineated by APAC ensures compliance with statutory requirements, licensing provisions, and ethical standards within the livestock sector.
One of the primary responsibilities of APAC in the livestock sector is to ensure transparency and integrity of agents’ occupations. In a landscape fraught with challenges such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and stock theft, APAC’s stringent inspections, certification processes and enforcement of standards are crucial. By safeguarding consumer health and confidence in domestically produced livestock products, APAC plays a pivotal role in sustaining the industry’s resilience against these challenges.
The livestock industry in South Africa boasts a rich genetic base, comprising original indigenous and exotic breeds of cattle, sheep, and goats. With 12.8 million cattle, 19.4 million sheep, 3 million goats, according to a DALRRD report, the sector forms a substantial component of the nation’s agricultural landscape. APAC’s regulatory oversight extends beyond domestic boundaries, facilitating access to global markets for South African livestock producers.
In addition, APAC plays a crucial role in promoting fair trade practices within the livestock sector. The economic significance of livestock production cannot be overstated, as it encompasses not only food production but also the provision of other raw materials vital for the region’s populace. Economically, the sector plays a pivotal role in creating employment for thousands of South Africans along the value chain and contributes immensely to improving the livelihoods of the rural poor. By monitoring transactions, resolving disputes, and enforcing ethical conduct among agents, APAC fosters a level playing field for all stakeholders. This engenders trust, stability, and sustainability within the livestock value chain, encouraging long-term investment and growth.
The regulatory interventions orchestrated by APAC have far-reaching implications for the economic landscape of South Africa. Animal production’s gross value accounts for 46% of the agricultural gross value, highlighting the central role of the livestock sector in agricultural prosperity. With its multifaceted contributions to food security, economic development and rural livelihoods, the livestock sector remains a cornerstone of South Africa’s agricultural economy.
As custodians of integrity and guardians of growth, APAC plays a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of the livestock sector in South Africa. Through its regulatory mandate, APAC ensures adherence to standards, fosters economic growth, and enhances the competitiveness of the local industry. In navigating the complexities of modern agriculture, APAC stands as a beacon of trust, stewardship and progress, driving the livestock sector towards a future defined by prosperity and sustainability.
Source : Mr F Knowles, APAC
