Die Suid-Afrikaanse boer en die Europese Ekonomiese Gemeenskapsmark

Abstract

In January 1973, Britain, the largest importer of South African agricultural products, became a member of the European Common Market. This entrance has important economical results for the South African farmer. Article 39(4) of the Rome Treaty provides for the establishment of a common agricultural policy, with the following objects:- "(a) to increase agricultural productivity by developing technical progress and by ensuring the rational development of agricultural production and the optimum utilization of the factors of production, particularly labour; ( b) to ensure thereby a fair standard of living for the agricultural population, particularly by the increasing of the individual earnings of persons engaged in agriculture; (c) to stabilise markets; (d) to guarantee regular supplies; and (e) to ensure reasonable prices in supplies to consumers." To achieve these aims the E.E.C. countries have to impose certain tariff levies on third countries to protect the agriculture of member countries to comply with their aims. These tariffs that are now being imposed by Britain on imports of South African agricultural products, have definite detrimental results because South Africa had certain preferential tariff benefits prior to the British entrance into the Common Market.

The canning, decidious fruit and citrus industries have been hit the hardest by Britain's entrance into the Common Market. Associated membership, which may prove a possible solution, is at this period not the obvious answer. The South African farmer has only one way out and that is to seek further export markets. The expectation is that the South African farmer will also share in the benefits of the E.E.C. in future.