FFPlus: Statement by Pieter Mulder, Freedom Front Plus spokesperson, on the nationalisation of agricultural land (15/03/2010)

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Published: 15 Mar 2010

FFPlus: Statement by Pieter Mulder, Freedom Front Plus spokesperson, on the nationalisation of agricultural land (15/03/2010)

There can be no doubt that should all productive land in South Africa be changed into a national asset, it would mean the nationalisation of land.

According to media reports one of the options which the ANC is considering for the green paper on land reform, is a proposal that al agricultural land will in future belong to the state and existing owner's property rights will be changed into a rental system.

If such a proposal would be made government policy it would be contrary to the Constitution, it would permanently deter all investors from South Africa and it would create huge uncertainty in rural areas which in turn would destroy food security.

The development of rural areas is at present one of the priorities of the ANC.

Uncertainty is the most important reason why commercial farmers in rural areas at present are not developing their farms or create more employment opportunities. If a so-called rental system is made government policy, it would create total uncertainty in rural areas. Any government official who thinks that development of rural areas is possible without the cooperation of commercial farmers, would be denying the realities of South Africa.

In the interest of South Africa and agriculture, these proposals will have to be opposed with all possible sources and by all interested parties.