The wine and agriculture industry in the Western Cape can now breathe a sigh of relief after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the country would move to level 2 and wine sales would be unbanned effective 18 August. Once in effect, this will go some way to reduce the potential R1-billion losses for the wine industry.
MPP Andricus van der Westhuizen says: “Although very late to the table, national government has finally heeded calls for the wine ban to be lifted as it had an ongoing crippling effect on our wine farmers, their employees, and the entire supply chain. The impact could be felt in the agriculture sector and beyond the wine industry which is itself supported by marketing agents and distributors at home and abroad.
It was predicted that more than 80 wineries and 350 wine grape producers would go out of business over the next 18 months, with a potential loss of more than 21 000 jobs across the industry. This is a clear indication of how vital data-led decisions are at a time when we face the second pandemic: unemployment and poverty.
Furthermore, the initial 9-week ban on local sales, 5-week ban on exports and the second ban on sales has had devastating effects not only on the industry but the economy as a whole.”
In previous statements, the DA in the Western Cape revealed that R5-billion would be lost in taxes owed to SARS as a consequence of this illogical blanket ban. In a country where the economy is already under immense pressure the ban on wine sales was a poorly thought through decision from national government.
MPP van der Westhuizen comments: “I whole-heartedly welcome the move to Level 2 of the lockdown regulations as the wine industry and agriculture sector can now get back to business. The impact of the flip-flopping of the ban has had a severe impact on the industry and livelihoods. I urge national government to remain transparent and let sound interpretation of data guide decisions.
I further urge residents to responsibly enjoy the world-renown wines of the Western Cape. We must consume with care and abstain from drunken driving, as well as any risky behaviour that limits social distancing and good hygiene. We’ve passed the peak of infections but let’s not let our guard down at this critical time.”
The DA in the Western Cape welcomes Level 2 regulations as it allows our wine industry to operate at full capacity, saving the industry, farms and livelihoods.
