Farmers cannot be expected to implement their own demise: TAU SA

Louis Meintjes‚ who on Wednesday was unanimously re-elected president TAU SA‚ said the body could not “expect from commercial farmers to condone and implement their own demise‚ all in the name of a corrupt democracy”.

“TAU SA can therefore not compromise itself to a ‘land reform process’ which aims at dishing out hectares and which has no understanding of the connection between land‚ food and expertise‚” he said.

In his presidential address‚ Meintjes said that expertise‚ which TAU SA believed it had‚ had contributed to a situation where commercial agriculture was able to produce food for more than 50 million people‚ plus neighbouring countries.

He said this expertise was not only applicable to the production of food but it could also be used to promote cooperation and education to transfer necessary skills to new farmers.

“TAU SA does not therefore want to isolate itself from the production process; to the contrary‚ this process must be operated more sensibly.

“However‚ the ANC government needs to allow commercial agriculture the space to utilise the available human capital.

“This existing capacity and expertise are amongst the greatest assets available to the country. It should not therefore‚ be regarded as a ‘favour’ because it fulfils a void which government resources are unable to do.

“This current situation revolves around the very survival of the people of South Africa‚’ he said.

Henry Geldenhuys was unanimously re-elected deputy president at TAU's annual general conference‚ while Steven Vermaak was elected new chairman of the Northern Region and Johan van Dyk the new chairman of Eastern Region.

In all other regions the leadership remained unchanged: Wannie Scribante in Central Region‚ Theunis Kruger in Western Region‚ Hennie Naude in Free State‚ Herman de Wet in Natal‚ Louise Rossouw in the Eastern Cape‚ Bennie Liebenberg in the Western Cape and Jannie Roux in the Northern Cape.

Some of the decisions adopted during the conference included to seek cooperation and assistance from international groups and countries with regard to training and funding.

TAU SA would strive to increase its international profile‚ and also narrow the gap between farmers and consumers.

TAU SA said it had made remarkable progress with the establishment of practical agricultural training. The process would continue and an announcement could be expected early next year.

RDM News Wire.