Willie Aucamp. (Photo: Willie Aucamp/Facebook)
AgriSA welcomed the proposed appointment of Willie Aucamp as the new Minister of Agriculture.
The organization says agriculture remains a strategic sector for South Africa, as it makes an important contribution to food security, job creation, export income, rural development and growth.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with the department and working constructively with Minister Aucamp to deal with the most important challenges and opportunities in the agricultural industry,” says Willem de Chavonnes Vrugt, AgriSA’s president.
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Willie Aucamp. (Photo: Willie Aucamp/Facebook)
De Chavonnes Vrugt also paid tribute to Steenhuisen for his leadership during his role as Minister of Agriculture.
According to De Chavonnes Vrugt, Steenhuisen played an “important role in strengthening South Africa’s agricultural competitiveness by supporting efforts to deal with barriers in the industry, expanding market access and unlocking new export protocols that increased opportunities for local producers in international markets”.
AgriSA points out that the agricultural sector has been faced with unprecedented challenges in recent years, especially around foot-and-mouth disease. De Chavonnes Vrugt says significant progress has been made through improved cooperation between the government and the industry, the roll-out of the vaccine program, as well as work regarding sections 9 and 10 of the Animal Diseases Act.
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The organization further recognizes Steenhuisen’s commitment to a collaborative government approach.
“Through his involvement with departments responsible for, among other things, energy, transport, policing and trade, he helped place agriculture’s priorities more strongly on the government’s agenda and create a more favorable environment for the sector,” says De Chavonnes Vrugt.
AgriSA wishes Steenhuisen success in his new portfolio.