Tina's secrecy will affect thousands of farmworker jobs
Tina Joemat-Pettersson's refusal to release World Health Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reports, which contain the reasons for the ban on South African meat exports to the European Union (EU), places at risk the jobs of thousands of farmworkers across South Africa.
In a statement, the Minister has argued that the report and the ban on South African meat exports "only refers to a handful of people".
The Minister has once again displayed her embarrassing lack of knowledge of South Africa's agricultural industry.
According to a report compiled by her own Department, which she clearly has not read, these are the facts about animal-product related agricultural produce in South Africa:
- The gross value of animal products produced in South Africa is approximately R65 billion per annum;
- The livestock sector contributes up to 49% of agricultural output in the country and accounts for 85% of the country's meat requirements; and
- Approximately 8,5 million people depend directly or indirectly on agriculture for their employment and income.