Importance Of The Regulations Of Livestock Agents For The Producer

The Agricultural Products Agents Council (APAC) has, as the regulator of livestock agents, the responsibility to ensure that producers who market their livestock through auctions and use the aggregated services of livestock agents, do so with a proper recourse to solve any problems that they might experience with transactions done in the red meat value chain.

To accomplish this important task, APAC, uses the Agricultural Products Agents Act of J992(Act, 12 of J 992) as a mandate.

This law, supported by a set of ethical rules (Rules regarding livestock agents 20J 8) and by the Minister of Agriculture, enforces the ethical and proper control of registered livestock agents in the livestock value chain. The producer must also be aware that there is a regulator keeping a

THE PRODUCER’S INTERESTS

The producer is the most important player on which our industry is modelled. Our producers ensure food security, for which we cannot thank them enough. Producers, we honor you for this. And this is precisely the focus and work of APAC to protect the interests of the producer who markets his livestock through a proper livestock agent. The legislation that APAC applies is currentIy being examined with a view lo making improvements to benefit the interests of the producer.

The ultimate aim is to have sufficient guidelines (or rules of engagement) with which APAC can take action against the improper, unethical actions of agents. This includes unregistered agents who try to do business under the radar.

APAC advises producers to only use the services of livestock agents who are properly registered with APAC. Every APAC agent is in possession of a registration certificate that is valid for a period of two years. Along with this, each agent receives a bank- type identity card which serves as proof that such a person has been approved via the APAC processes.

APAC is doing everything in its power to promote the livestock agent profession. Should any producer or industry player want to know more, or make a complaint about the actions of an agent, they should contact APAC directly. We will be happy to help.

Information about registered agencies and agents is readily available on the APAC website

Francois Knowles Registrar Agricultural Products Agents Board watchful eye on the operation of auctions, auctioneers and livestock agents.

THE ROLE OFAGENTS

It will always remain the choice of the producer to decide which marketing channel is the best option.   One such channel is to market at an auction with the help of an agent.

An auction has additional value as supply and demand is the criteria that lead to price discovery. The ideal price, given the economic conditions, is determined by the availability of production animals. This is where the livestock agent then comes into his own with his skill, knowledge and understanding of what market conditions entail, as well as how to promote the best animals to buyers for the benefit of the producer.

It sounds easy: recruit livestock from a producer, sell it through an auction, and earn a good income. However, it is certainly not easy! A livestock agent worth his salt comes with a good frame of reference and experience that has been developed over the years.

The livestock agent is not primarily in the business of animals, but rather in the business of ’people’. Relationships are therefore the core around which everything revolves. The producer must know and trust that the agent will do the best for him. The buyer wants to pay the right price, but also purchase the best quality animals which means competition with other buyers.

A person who acls on behalf of a producer is representing the producer, is responsible for the producer’s income and is therefore regarded as an agent. All livestock agents must be registered with APAC and abide by the legal requirements.

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