Proposed Regulation Draft Agricultural Remedy Needs Your Input

Support organic agroecological farming methods in SA.

The Minister of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has asked for public comments on the proposed draft regulation for agricultural remedies by Monday 16th of August 2022.

The proposed changes suggest more stringent requirements for the registration of pesticides and chemicals harmful to the environment but fails to accommodate a less stringent protocol for biological remedies suitable in organic farming, which means:

• Organic inputs are not recognised for use.
• Organic inputs are not permissible without stringent safety testing.
• The proposed regulation will make it more difficult and costly for producers of organic remedies.

There are internationally recognised and approved inputs that have been proven efficacious and safe in organic agriculture. Organic ingredients tabled in the EU Organic Regulations, the SANS:1369 and the SAOSO Standard are permissible without the need for stringent safety testing.

DALRRD’s own Pesticide Management Policy talks of “sustainable pest management” with disincentives (levies) on damaging pesticides to encourage the use of eco-friendly alternatives. This is designed to make non-chemical and low risk chemical methods, and biopesticides meant for organic farming more competitive. This is not being considered in this proposed new regulation.

By not allowing the registration of organic agricultural inputs the Minister is failing those farmers and producers who are seeking more sustainable ways to produce our food through organic agroecological systems which mitigate pollution and ecological degradation, sequester carbon, and ensure the health of the people.

SAOSO is asking for support from organisations in the sector to apply pressure to the Minister and lobby for the registration of organic agricultural inputs in this update to Act 36.

Please can you support our sector by doing the following:

1. Stakeholders and organisations draft their own response and submit to MalutaM@dalrrd.gov.za before Monday, 16th of August deadline.
2. Organisations use their own email database to drum up further support around this issue calling on their supporters to email the Minister.

Please note that government treats submissions with multiple signatures as one submission, so it is recommended that affected parties and groups submit individually for maximum effect.

We appreciate you taking the time to add your organisation’s voice to this issue to help ensure that a key part of our organic agroecological food production system is enabled, allowing the sector to continue to grow.

For more information, please contact SAOSO via info@saoso.org