Agri SA meets with DWS on draft water use license regulations

Today, the leadership of Agri SA held a constructive meeting with officials from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to discuss the recently published Regulations regarding the Procedural Requirements for Water Use Licence Applications and Amendments. 

The DWS clarified its intention that the provisions regarding black South African shareholding with respect to license applications would be limited to new applications and would not extend to existing water use entitlements – a critical distinction for the ongoing viability of South Africa's commercial agriculture sector, which in turn is foundational to South Africa’s food security.  Agri SA will consider its response in light of the clarification and will finalise its comments on the draft regulations to the Department before 18 July 2023.  

Agri SA also expressed its desire for the draft regulations to align with other current sector-specific strategies that are aimed at protecting South Africa’s food security. 

Agri SA and the DWS confirmed their commitment to ongoing engagement on the finalisation of the draft regulations and on other matters going forward. All representatives agreed on the importance of creating a sustainable and more inclusive agricultural sector without undermining the country’s food production. 

Media Enquiries

Janse Rabie

Legal and Policy Executive, Agri SA

C: 076 451 9601

Jaco Minnaar

President, Agri SA

C: 083 626 7000