Farmers to oppose proposed transformation-based water licensing regulations
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Janse Rabie - Legal and Policy Executive, Agri SA
The proposed changes to water use licensing will not affect existing water use licences and are aimed only at new applications, says the Department of Water and Sanitation.
AgriSA, a body representing most of the country's commercial farmers, has insisted the draft proposals would be "devastating" for the country's food security and the farming community should they be passed. "The purpose of the amendments is to effect reforms in relation to equitable allocation of water use, as well as to amend the procedural requirements related to applications of new water use licences, including reviewing of timeframes and fees linked to licence application processes," said Wisane Mavasa, spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation.
The proposed changes require applicants for new lawful water use licences to have black equity representation in their operations to be successful in their applications. On Tuesday, Mavasa said the current licence holders would be required to comply with the new regulations only when applying to renew expired licences.
The proposed changes to water use licensing will not affect existing water use licences and are aimed only at new applications, says the Department of Water and Sanitation.
AgriSA, a body representing most of the country's commercial farmers, has insisted the draft proposals would be "devastating" for the country's food security and the farming community should they be passed. "The purpose of the amendments is to effect reforms in relation to equitable allocation of water use, as well as to amend the procedural requirements related to applications of new water use licences, including reviewing of timeframes and fees linked to licence application processes," said Wisane Mavasa, spokesperson for the Department of Water and Sanitation.
The proposed changes require applicants for new lawful water use licences to have black equity representation in their operations to be successful in their applications. On Tuesday, Mavasa said the current licence holders would be required to comply with the new regulations only when applying to renew expired licences.
