Hon Speaker, Cope notes that South Africa has in the past few days again failed to obtain approval from the International Office of Epizootics, OIE, as a foot-and-mouth disease-free country, which will prohibit the export of meat products and lead to the impoverishment of the new livestock farmers. The consequences will be dire, especially for emerging farmers.
The Meat Safety Act was promulgated in 2000. The intention then was to reclaim meat inspection and put it back in the hands of the government, but the ANC government failed dismally to implement it. This has put the lives of our poor masses in danger because of the negligence of three ANC Ministers.
There was an outcry last year following the reports that pigs' hearts and kangaroo meat were labelled as Halaal sheep hearts and beef. Yet, inspection of imported meat at 425 red meat abattoirs and 214 poultry abattoirs is virtually nonexistent. This is due to the fact that Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson lacks seriousness in implementing the Meat Safety Act.
Recently, scientists and researchers have found that some meat products being sold in our country consist of donkey, water buffalo and goat meat. Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson has put the lives of ordinary South Africans in danger. For all we know, we Members of Parliament might be eating donkey, killer whale, cat, or dog meat here in Parliament. The Minister must account or else she deserves to go to prison. The ANC has made our people eat donkey, killer whales, and they make our people die of diseases every day.
Your time has expired, hon member.