COVID-19

The United Nations Brundtland Commission (1987) defined the term sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

Due to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s declaration concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, SIZA will be implementing an audit procedure that will allow Environmental Third-Party audits to continue. While still adhering to the SIZA Environmental Audit Process and Methodology (APM), two options will exist.

For the 2019/2020 sample group, a total of 72 farms were verified of which the majority were located in the Western Cape.

Amidst the Coronavirus, South Africa promulgated strict lockdown regulations since 27 March 2020. This resulted in limited access to facilities, and audits were not able to continue as usual.

A total of 36 audits have been conducted remotely thus far during the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with the SIZA Remote Audit Procedure. A further 29 audits are scheduled until 30 April 2020.

The recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has become an increasingly challenging situation, which has impacted all business operations. SIZA recognises that this is a developing situation, and the protection of people living and working on farms and within agriculture is paramount.