An Update on the SIZA Subscription Fees for 2026/27
As we enter a new financial year, we would like to thank all our subscribers and partners for their continued support of SIZA and our shared commitment to responsible and sustainable agricultural compliance practices in South Africa. SIZA’s financial period runs from April 1st to March 31st each year. Like many organisations, the SIZA Board…
Overtime on a Sunday in Agriculture: Getting the Wages Calculation Right
In the agricultural sector, working beyond standard hours is often unavoidable, especially during peak periods or when essential tasks cannot be delayed. Sundays, in particular, may require attention to critical operations such as irrigation, livestock care, or equipment monitoring. While this is part of the reality of farming, it is important for employers to understand…
Emergency Work in Agriculture: Understanding Compliance and Audit Expectations
In the agricultural sector, operations are often dictated by factors beyond human control, such as weather events, animal health, perishable produce, and time-sensitive harvests. As a result, urgent or unforeseen work outside normal hours is not uncommon. However, from a legal perspective, not all urgent work automatically qualifies under compliance requirements as “emergency work.” Let’s…
Fuel Pressures, Farming Adaptation, and the Path to a Lower Carbon Future
Rising fuel prices and shortages, driven in part by disruptions in global oil supply chains, highlight the agricultural sector’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels. Diesel and petrol are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, and every activity mentioned—ploughing, planting, irrigation, and transport—adds to a farm’s carbon footprint. As fuel becomes more expensive and perhaps scarce,…
Water Use and Water Resource Impacts: How will an auditor evaluate these practices?
Water remains a vital part of agriculture and an essential part of our daily lives. To view water as a necessity and a resource is therefore extremely important. During Environmental audits, water use and impacts on water resources are assessed. When auditing a farming or production site that abstracts, stores, diverts, discharges, or otherwise impacts…
High Court Ruling Providing Clarity on the PCO Regulations.
On January 26th, 2026, the Western Cape High Court ruled in favour of CropLife SA, confirming that the 2023 regulations relating to agricultural remedies (Government Notice 3812), as issued under the Farm Feeds, Fertilisers, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act 36 of 1947, do not apply to the Pest Control Operator (PCO) Regulations of 2011.…
