Planting trees in grasslands won’t save the planet – rather protect and restore forests
Why rangelands matter, and why misguided initiatives here do more harm than good …
Category: Blog
Bird flu in cattle: What are the concerns surrounding the newly emerging bovine H5N1 influenza virus?
Nitish Boodhoo, University of Guelph The confirmed presence of bird flu in American dairy cattle in a March 25 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) — and a case in Texas where a human working with cattle was infected — has put Canadian public health experts on high alert. But, what is bird […]
How responsible forestry can be part of a plastic pollution solution
Press release While life without plastic might be hard to imagine, there is a renewable, recyclable and sustainable alternative to single-use plastics and many other fossil fuel derivatives: wood from responsibly managed plantations and forests. This is the message from Forestry South Africa (FSA) ahead of the 54th annual Earth Day (22 April 2024). “Since […]
The whole truth about whole grains
According to a new report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) entitled The Whole Truth about Whole Grains, there is huge opportunity in food system transformation, but it’s critical to change what is grown, processed and consumed thoughtfully and gradually. Currently, most of the grains are stripped of the bulk of their important nutrients, and these […]
South Africa initiates WTO dispute against EU citrus blackspot regulations
Press release The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) have announced that SA has requested consultations with the European Union in the World Trade Organisation in relation to phytosanitary trade regulations imposed on South African citrus by the European Union (EU). This […]
The Department of Agriculture introduces new directives for the importation and exportation of live animals
Press release The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) would like to alert importers and exporters of live animals about the newly introduced directive in respect to authorisation required for the purposes of importation and/or exportation of live animals. The newly introduced directive is in line with the requirement for import authorisation […]
South Africa’s table grape exports increased by 17% in 2023/24 season
“The general sentiment is that it was a season of missed opportunities due to logistical challenges, but at the same time most producers feel it was an acceptable season overall”
The strange case of the shortage that wasn’t
The big mystery about South Africa’s rebates on chicken imports is why they were approved when they weren’t needed.
South Africa’s crucial water supplies from Lesotho: what the shutdown means for industry, farming and residents
The main water supply to South Africa’s economic hub, greater Johannesburg in the Gauteng province, and to the country’s breadbasket in the Free State, is scheduled to be cut off for six months.
Will the slow pace of structural reform in agriculture persist?
Sihlobo spells out some aspects where government focus would uplift the mood in the agricultural sector and illustrate government’s commitment to its programmes to stakeholders.