Agri SA distanced itself from the resolutions put forward for adoption at the National Summit on Vulnerable Workers in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, today in Somerset West. "We participated in good faith, but the Summit's resolutions do not reflect the well-considered inputs of preceding Provincial Summits nore the presentations made by Agri SA in the plenary session and during the four commissions of the Summit during the last two days. It is clear to us that the outcomes of the Summit are aligned to pre-determined political views and aspirations rather than realities at farm level," says Johannes Möller, President of Agri SA.
According to Möller, his organisation's views and actions relating to farm workers will be detrimentally compromised if it accepted gross, unfounded allegations as a point of departure to give credibility to radical policy changes. Progressive farmers are losing faith in populist processes such as those experienced at the Summit. Agri SA will therefore consider other avenues for continued interaction with Government and other role-players regarding farm worker issues. "We regard ourselves as part of the future of South Africa and will continue to seek solutions to foster sustainable employer-employee relationships based on legal compliance and ethical values," he said.
In his address to the plenary session of the Summit, Möller said that Agri SA remained committed to sound labour practices, rural development and the improvement of the standard of living of farm workers. "Farmers and farm workers work side by side to feed the nation and are dependent on each other for meeting aspirations and ensuring a safe and stable rural society."
Agri SA acknowledges and supports the view expressed by President Zuma at the Summit that "the collaboration of agricultural unions, especially individual farmers and other organisations, is critical." In this regard, President Zuma referred to a recent fruitful meeting with Agri SA which will be followed up soon to improve service delivery, not only in the agricultural sector but also within rural development and land reform areas.
"Although, in the interests of all involved in the farming community, we could not support the Summit resoIutions, I want to assure farmers as well as farm workers that we remain committed to a dispensation that will lead to an improved standard of living for everybody in the agricultural sector."
Statement issued by Johannes Möller, President Agri SA, July 31 2010
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