Issued by: SA Communication Service
1. The SADC Council of Ministers met yesterday under the chairmanship of His Honour Mr Festus Mogae, Vice President of the Republic of Botswana and Minister of Finance ad Development Planning. All the twelve SADC Members countries were represented.
2. Council reviewed the SADC Programme of action which is implemented through the various sectors currently totalling about 15 sectors and sub-sectors in all. Council expressed satisfaction that there had been significant progress made in implementing programmes and policies of the organisation.
3. In particular Council made decisions regarding some specific sectors.
3.1 Finance and Investment
3.1.1 Council noted that on the whole, the economies of the region are well managed, with structural adjustment programmes achieving some of the intended goals. Council also noted that Governments' expenditure has been declining for the past five years as a result of stringent fiscal discipline Governments have imposed on themselves as part of the effort to improve te region's investment climate.
3.1.2 In fact SADC countries have performed better than the rest of sub-Saharan Africa in attracting foreign direct and venture seeking investment. Council, however, noted that inflationary pressures continued to undermine economic recovery in some member states.
3.1.3 Council approved 10 new projects in the sector of Finance & Investment including a study on the establishment of a Regional Fund or Bank.
3.2 Food Security
3.2.1 Council noted that as a result of good rains, indications where that cereal production for 1995/96 would increase by 62% to 26.36 million tonnes. Maize output is forecast at 20.29 million tonnes (about 80% increase over the previous year's figure).
3.2.2 That notwithstanding, Council was informed that following another poor rainfall season, Namibia has declared a DROUGHT Emergency in June this year. The Food Security Sector and the SADC Secretariat will work closely with the Government of Namibia to mobilise regional and international support to Namibia.
3.2 Animal Health
3.2.1 Council discussed the current outbreak of Cattle Lung Disease (Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia) in Botswana, Tanzania and Namibia. Council noted measures undertaken by member States to eradicate the disease. In the case of Botswana over 200 000 cattle will be destroyed and the affected area rested for about six months before reintroducing cattle rearing.
3.2.2 Council approved an emergency project to facilitate cooperation between the affected countries and their neighbours to jointly implement measures to control, prevent and eradicate the decease.
3.3 Wildlife
3.3.1 Council agreed that the "Southern African Convention for Wildlife Management" should be established to replace the Southern African Centre for Ivory Marketing. This will reflect SADC's much broader focus o wildlife management and marketing of wildlife products.
3.3.2 Council noted that the 10th Conference on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) would take place in Harare, Zimbabwe in June 1997. Council agreed that member states should consolidate their position regarding CITES blanket ban on legal trade in Ivory and elephant products.
3.3.3 Council further agreed that Heads of State should take note of the forthcoming CITES conference and ensure that their respective representatives cooperate in articulating a common position.
4. Rationalisation of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Sectors (FANR).
(a) Overall Coordination
The current Sector Coordinating Unit responsible for Food Security and Overall FANR Coordination will be transformed to a Sector Development Unit, taking responsibility for cross-cutting issues such as policy harmonisation, food security, non-duplication of programmes, and information flows.
(B) Food Security
Council agreed that since Food Security was a cross cutting issue, and it should cease to be a sector. Food Security will now be subsumed under the overall coordination structure.
(c) The FANR Sector Re-defined
Council agreed that the current FANR sector was too broad and should be split into the following separate independent sectors:
(i) FANR Sector (made up of seven sectors as indicated below):
- Forestry
- Inland Fisheries
- Marine Fisheries
- Agriculture Research
- Crop Production
(ii) Environment and Land Management
(iii) Water Sector
(d) New Sector on Crop Production
Council agreed that there was need for a new sector dealing with crop production. The new sector would address amongst others; control of plant diseases, coordination of seed distribution and use of agro-chemicals.
(e) Environment and Land Management
Council also agreed on the need for the creation of a distinct Water Sector. It was also agreed that the water sector should stand alone, outside of FANR. It was agreed that Environment and Land Management is cross cutting and has broader implications for other sectors. Council, therefore, agreed that Environment and Land Management should remain a sector (water having been taken out) and be transformed to monitor and evaluate all regional programmes (not only FANR) for their environmental impact. This, means that Environment and Land Management as a sector will stand alone and its culture changes to that of a watch dog. Its functions would therefore entail setting up environmental standards/guidelines and monitor their implementation.
(f) Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Training Commission (SACCAR)
Council noted with appreciation the commendable achievements SACCAR, based in Botswana, had made in coordinating Agricultural Research and Training since its inception about a decade ago. Council also observed that SACCAR has achieved international recognition and has an impressive track record with regard to research and training in specific areas.
Council, however, decided that SACCAR be transformed to operate as a Sector Coordinating Unit and not as a Commission. Its major functions will include overall research coordination for the FANR cluster of sectors.
Council agreed that the transformation of SACCAR into an Sector Coordinating Unit should take place over a sufficient period of time to allow for a smooth transition and compliance with contractual commitments.
(g) Rationalisation of SADC FANR and Southern African Regional Commission for Conservation and Utilisation of the Soil (SARCCUS)
Council agreed that the activities of Southern African Regional Commission for Conservation and Utilisation of the Soil (SARCCUS) be subsumed under the relevant SADC FANR Sectors. However, to facilitate the smooth integration of SARCCUS activities into the relevant SADC committee/sectors, SARCCUS will be phased out within a two year maximum period.
SARCCUS has been in existence for over 30 years. Its Members are eight of the twelve SADC countries, namely; Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Angola and Swaziland.
5. The meeting of Council continues today at 17.00hrs. The Chairman of Council will brief the media at the end of the meeting.
22 August 1996