Zanu PF MP questions deputy Agriculture minister over ban of agricultural imports

A Zanu PF MP Irene Zindi has questioned the deputy agriculture minister Paddy Zhanda as to was the government policy on the issue of importation of such goods.

Speaking in parliament Zindi said what is the policy of the Ministry of Agriculture, particularly when we look at the promulgation of Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 when we have raised several questions about agricultural produce that is imported from South Africa in particular.
"We never saw the Ministry or witnessed the Ministry to promulgate a Statutory Instrument in order to stop importation of agricultural produce particularly with the impact it has on the local farmers," she said.

"What is the policy of the Ministry now that we have Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 which has been enacted in order to facilitate the economic growth and the industrialisation of our economy?  What are they thinking also in regards to agricultural produce?"

Zhanda said Zimbabwe is signatory to various trade protocols namely Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), Southern African Development Community (SADC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMMESA) et cetera and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

"Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 does not mention about a ban but gives Government the ability to regulate.  Even in the absence of that Statutory Instrument, we have always retained the ability to issue permits in order to give us capacity to regulate," Zhanda said.  "Besides being signatory to various trade protocols, we have always used permits to regulate the importation of goods which are necessary to come into this country.  Therefore, if it is anything, it would really be that most of the goods that the Hon. Member is talking about are smuggled."

He said they have not been issuing permits for vegetables because we also want to promote local industry.

"So, yes admittedly, we do recognise that there has been a proliferation of smuggled goods particularly at the Beitbridge Border post.  I think measures have been taken to look into that to ensure we stop the smuggling of goods through that border post," said Zhanda.

Zindi said  her question  was in relation to Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016, what is the effect in relation to the agricultural produce?

"Can the Minister actually say something that is in relation to that Statutory Instrument when we are looking at the agricultural produce?," she said.

Zhanda said the effect really is that it gives opportunity for the Zimbabwean producers now to produce for the local market.

"Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 simply wants to protect and promote local productivity or local production to avoid the exportation of jobs and currency.  So that is the essence of the Statutory Instrument, it does not mention, I must emphasise.  It does not mention banning because we are signatory to those trade protocols that I mentioned.  It simply gives Government the ability to regulate the importation of necessary goods," he said.