Farmers’ organisation, TLU SA, on Tuesday said that it finds it unacceptable that the government suspended agricultural auctions in terms of the adjusted regulations of level four of the lockdown.
“The president on Sunday evening emphasised that all economic activities must continue as far as possible and that people should go to their place of work if they cannot work from home,” says Mr Henry Geldenhuys, the president of TLU SA.
“Thus, we are struggling to understand why they suspended the auctions now.”
The regulations published this week only refers to auctions and does not specify if it excludes livestock and only applies to fixed property.
“Auctions are essential to the agricultural industry and the distribution of food,” explains Mr Geldenhuys. “It is the smaller farmers, especially who find themselves in a difficult situation when there are no auctions. They have no other way of selling their livestock.”
The organisers plan the events ahead of time. Farmers who would have attended the scheduled auctions tomorrow must know urgently, at least before 14:00 today, if they have to adjust their plans.
“It is unacceptable that the president, government departments and the ANC rarely gives the same message. A country cannot function like this.”