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The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries hereby announces the publication of the Agricultural Produce Marketing Agencies Bill for public comments.

The Agricultural Produce Marketing Agencies Bill was approved by the Minister for gazetting on 5 March 2013 and was subsequently published in the Government Gazette (General Notice No. 282 of 2013, Government Gazette No. 36302, Vol. 573) on 28 March 2013.

The purpose of the Bill is to:

• Provide for the continued existence and name change of the Agricultural Produce Agents Council to Agricultural Produce Marketing Agency
• Provide for the continued existence and name change of the Fresh Produce Agents Fidelity Fund to Agricultural Produce Marketing Agency Fidelity Fund
• Provide for the constitution of the Board of the Agricultural Produce Marketing Agency
• Provide for broader objects and functions of the Agricultural Produce Marketing Agency
• Make certain provisions applicable to all or certain categories of agricultural produce agents, auctioneers, brokers and wholesalers
• Provide for the regulation of the occupations of auctioneers, brokers and wholesalers;
• Provide for the regulation of fresh produce markets
• Provide for compulsory training, registration and accreditation of all agricultural produce agents, auctioneers, brokers, wholesalers, sales persons and booking clerks;
• Repeal the Agricultural Produce Agents Act, 1992
• Provide for matters connected therewith.

Interested parties and the public are invited to submit comments on the Bill within 60 days of publication; therefore the deadline for submitting comments is 28 May 2013.

Written comments should be forwarded to the department for the attention of Mr H.M. Mamabolo at the following address: Sefala Building, Office 710, 503 Belvedere Street, Arcadia, Pretoria or Private Bag X15, Arcadia, 0007.

Written comments can also be faxed to 012 319 8131 or e-mailed to MogalaM@daff.gov.za or PA.DM@daff.gov.za.

Copies of the Bill may be obtained from the Directorate: Marketing using the contact details provided above or from the DAFF website www.daff.gov.za.

Please note that comments received after the closing date will not be taken into consideration.

Those who are interested in making further oral presentations should indicate that on their submissions. Public hearings will take place between the 28 March and 28 May 2013 at various venues that will be communicated to the public in due course.