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"Agriculture plays a central role in rural development and with increasing numbers of people benefiting from land redistribution, support initiatives are critical. Targets in supporting emerging farmers proved unrealistic in 2008/9 as just under half of the 80,000 targeted were actually supported. Now that the total budget has dropped by nearly 10% in real terms support initiatives look to be more constrained than ever. Despite the encouraging things you have said Honorable Minister, the budget allocated to provide post-settlement support will need, more than ever, be used effectively and efficiently.

The drastically increased budget for consultants and professional services raises some concerns however emerging farmers are going to need professional assistance to ensure sustainability.

With the present economic downturn in mind, the ACDP is particularly concerned that there appears to be no special allocation for agricultural starter packs. Rising food prices threaten food security and necessitate initiatives to protect the vulnerable. Starter packs for household vegetable gardens are essential.

Job creation, another national priority, highlights the importance of not undervaluing the role of agriculture in our economy. The number of jobs created per unit of investment is higher in agriculture than any other sector and supports some 8.5 million people. Despite promises made in the Maputo Declaration in 2003 to increase the allocation of the national budget for agriculture to 10 percent within 5 years, agriculture comprises less than 1% of our national budget.

The ACDP is concerned by the minimal focus on veterinary science. Globally there is a lack in disaster preparedness and experts say South Africa is no more prepared than other nations. For example, reports of a highly contagious disease affecting bees reveal that we have neither quarantine regulations nor adequate legislation to deal with the threat. While it poses no threat to humans from bees, honey or bee products, pollination of almost all vegetable and fruit crops is undertaken by bees and their loss could do incalculable harm to South Africa's food security. The ACDP calls on the Minister to act urgently to contain this threat.

Sadly this budget is grossly inadequate to meet the huge demands presently on the Department of Agriculture. While the ACDP will support the budget, we do so reluctantly".