Chairperson, I'm sure that we would accept the explanation that the Minister has given to us with regard to the cushioning of some of these produce, especially grain.
Firstly, we would actually like the Minister to explain exactly which of the other agricultural produce - except for grain - are actually affected by these heavily subsidised importations.
Secondly, in South Africa we are beginning to experience a situation with regard to agriculture where we are importing more than we are exporting. It means therefore that agriculture is shrinking. Is there any strategy in place to revive and reinforce agriculture in South Africa so that it becomes self-sufficient? Thank you.
The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: Chairperson, the product that I can immediately speak of, off the cuff, is the importation of sugar from Swaziland. Swaziland produces sugar at a price that is hugely reduced in comparison to South Africa, and imports of sugar from Swaziland thus happen to be far cheaper.
The situation in our country, as of the end of last year, including the first quarter of this year, showed a net decline in agricultural production by more than 17%. Our country has also, for the first time, recorded being a net importer of food instead of being a net exporter of food.
The cost of production in agriculture is extremely high. It is this type of production costs that we are looking at in terms of the industry sector organisations, as well as the Department of Trade and Industry.
Mitigating the high production costs is a very challenging situation for us. It is particularly challenging when it comes to production costs for our historically disadvantaged farmers. It is one of the reasons why a number of farms, which were sold via the Land Bank, could not repay their debt burden. It is now the department's programme of action to intervene with regard to these distressed farms, particularly when it comes to production capital or production loans. I thank you.