Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries assesses impact of state entities in agriculture
The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will this week assess the challenges facing the public entities, Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) in the agricultural sector and their impact on the country’s economy.
The Onderstepoort Biological Products Incorporation is responsible for manufacturing veterinary vaccines and related products to prevent and control animal diseases that impact on food security, human health and livelihoods. Whereas, the Agricultural Research Council provides agricultural research and technology development to support the agricultural community.
The visits to the two entities on Tuesday, 4 February and on Wednesday, 5 February 2014 in Pretoria, Gauteng will accord the Committee members an opportunity to assess, among others, the infrastructure upgrading, research and infrastructure development, collaboration between the entities on research activities on livestock diseases and vaccine improvement. The oversight visit will also discuss the impact of the 2013 ban on the country’s citrus fruits by the European Markets.
The Committee has previously recommended to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to approach Treasury to request more funds for research and infrastructure upgrade relating to vaccine production and storage at OBP.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Foster Mohale, Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 072 432 3792
Tel: 021 403 2239
E-mail: fmohale@parliament.gov.za
