South Africa has to find a balance between, on the one hand, the economic need to maintain its existing agricultural industry that can provide food for all South Africans, and on the other to fulfil the need to develop new farmers and return land to those who were deprived of it. What we need from the department of rural development and land reform is a recognition of the challenge it faces, and the development of some clear, practical solutions.

Yet exactly the opposite is happening. The uncertainty over nationalisation of land which prevails, due to conflicting statements from the department, is only likely to threaten South Africa's continued agricultural production and food security.

On Monday, the Minister came out in support of the nationalisation, this was in contradiction to a statement issued by his Deputy that nationalisation was not ANC-policy.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is of the view that nationalisation equals expropriation without compensation and would result in a demise of a cornerstone of the economy - agricultural production and would thus result in total disruption of food production and investment in the sector.

Commercial farmers are committed to ensure food security and the constant nationalisation admonitions from the ANC-government do nothing but create panic in the farming community. The Minister should rather be issuing assurances to farmers that nationalisation will not be occurring, particularly as farmers need to accelerate food production in line with South Africa's growing population.

When is Minister Nkwinti going to listen to advice and stop making double talk statements to the detriment of the country? Food security is of utmost importance for continued growth of the economy and job creation in South Africa in order to fight poverty.

Statement issued by Lourie Bosman, MP, Democratic Alliance shadow minister of agriculture, March 31 2010

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