REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM ON THE BUDGET VOTE 27, DATED 15 MARCH 2005

The Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs and Tourism having considered the Budget Vote 27 of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, wishes to report as follows:

Having been briefed and deliberated on the Budget Vote 27 of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism for 2005/6 financial periods in terms of Rule 201 (c) of the National Assembly which states that:
A Portfolio Committee may monitor, investigate, enquire into the and make recommendations concerning any such executive organ of the state, constitutional institution or other body or institution, including the legislative programme, budget, rationalization, restructuring, functioning, organization, structure, staff and policies of such organ of state, institution or other body or institution. 1 The Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs and Tourism reports as follows:
1. INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

Members of the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs and Tourism and the Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs were briefed in a joint meeting on Budget Vote 27 the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. The Departmental briefing focused on policy and strategic objectives and 2005/06 Budget allocation to its interrelated six programmes. These include Programme 1: dealing with Administration, Programme 2: dealing with Environmental Quality and Protection, Programme 3: dealing with Marine and Coastal Management, Programme 4: dealing with Tourism, Programme 5: dealing with Biodiversity and Conservation and, Programme 6: dealing with Social Responsibility and Projects.
2. JOINT BRIEFING ON BUDGET VOTE 27 FOR 2005/06 FINANCIAL PERIOD

On 16 February 2005, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism briefed members of the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs and Tourism and the Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs on Budget Vote 27 for 2005/06 financial periods. The Departmental briefing generally focused on 2005/06 budget allocation to programmes such Administration, Environmental Quality and Protection, Marine and Coastal Management, Tourism, Biodiversity and Conservation and, Social Responsibility and Projects
2.1 BRIEFING ON PROGRAMME 1: ADMINISTRATION
The Chief Operation Officer, Ms PM Yako briefed members of the Portfolio and Select committee on 2005/06 budget related to administration programme. Her presentation on budget allocation to subprog ramme such as Minister and the Deputy Minister works, offices of the director general and chief operation officer, international coordination, corporate affairs, planning and coordination, communication, internal audit and office of the chief financial officer. 2
BRIEFING ON PROGRAMME 2: ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND PROTECTION
The Deputy Director-General of environmental quality and protection programme, Ms J Yawitch briefed member of both the Portfolio and Select committees on 2005/06 budget related to environmental quality and protection. Her presentation focused on budget allocation to sub-programme such as management, regulatory services, pollution and waste management, contributions and financial assistance. 3
2.3. BRIEFING ON PROGRAMME 3: MARINE AND COASTAL MANAGEMENT
Members of the Portfolio and Select committees were briefed on 2005/06 budget allocated to the marine and coastal management programme. The presentation focused on 2005/06 budget allocated to sub-programmes such as government assistance , levies, harbour fees, permits and licenses, interest on investment, sale of confiscation, fines & penalties and marine activities card, administration, resource management, research, monitoring, control and surveillance, marine patrol and research vessels 4.
2.4. BRIEFING ON PROGRAMME 4: TOURISM
The DDG of tourism programme, Dr P Matluo briefed members of the Portfolio and Select committees on 2005/06 budget related to tourism programme. His presentation focused on budget allocation related to subprogrammes such as management, tourism support, tourism development and contribution.5
2.5. BRIEFING ON PROGRAMME5: BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
The DDG of the biodiversity and conservation programme, Mr. F G Mketeni briefed members of both the Portfolio and Select Committees on 2005/06 budget related to biodiversity and conservation programme. His presentation focused on budget allocation to sub-programmes such as management and support, biodiversity and heritage, biodiversity and conservation, resourc e use, protected areas, park infrastructure and transfers to statutory bodies.6
2.6. BRIEFING ON PROGRAMME6: SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND PROJECTS
Members of the Portfolio and Select committee were finally briefed on 2005/06 budget related to social responsibility and projects programme. The presentation focused on 2005/06 budget allocation to sub-programmes such and antartic and island research, government motor transport, land, building and structures and financial assistance to poverty relieve projects. 7
DELIBERATION ON BUDGET VOTE 27 FOR 2005/06 FINANCIAL PERIOD
On the 11 March 2005, the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs and Tourism deliberated and resolved on Budget Vote 27 for the 2005/06 financial year presented by the Department in the joint meeting with the Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs on 16 February 2005. The Chairperson, Ms E Thabethe indicated that the purpose of the meeting was to deliberate, seek clarity and resolve on Budget Vote 27 for 2005/06 financial period related to programmes and subprogrammes of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.

The deliberation, clarity seeking questions and responses as well as resolutions during the Committee meeting focused on 2005/06 budget allocation to departmental programmes such as administration, environmental quality and protection, marine and coastal management, tourism, biodiversity & conservation and, social responsibility & projects. Having deliberated and sought clarity related to budget allocation to departmental programmes, the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs and Tourism has noted that:

3.1. The aim of the Administration programme is to provide strategic direction and oversee the overall management of the entire department. The 2005/06 budget allocated will enable this programme to provide number of new posts required for core areas as indicated in an institutional review.

3.2. The Environmental Quality and Protection programme aims at protecting the constitutional right of all South African to an environment that is not harmful to health and well-being through legislative and other measures. The 2005/06 budget allocated will enable this programme to put in place practicable measures to ensure the implementation of National Environmental Air Quality and Environmental Impact Assessment as well as the evaluation procedures to assess the Buyisa –e- Bag Section 21 Company.
3.3. The Marine and Coastal Management Programme provides guidance to the development and conservation of the marine and coastal management and ensures sustainable utilization of marine and coastal resources. The 2005/06 allocated budget if used effectively will enable this programmme to deal with challenges related to the allocation of fishing rights, transformation, employment equity, retention of scientists and skills development.
3.4. The Tourism programme aims at creating the conditions for sustainable growth and development. The 2005/06 allocated budget will enable this programme in its 2005/ 06 activities to deal with challenges of black economic empowerment score card and the development of training package for tourism entrepreneurs as well as the development of NEPAD strategies to encourage tourism in the rest of Africa.
3.5. The Biodiversity and Conservation programme aims at promoting and conserving South Africa’s biological diversity, cultural heritage and sustainable utilization of resources for the benefit of South Africans. The 2005/06 allocated budget will enable this programme to develop national biodiversity strategy and plan and the implementation of invasive species strategy approved in December 2004.
3.6. The Social Responsibility and Projects programme provides projects that are targeted at infrastructure development, job creation, poverty alleviation and community training and development within the framework of extended public works programme. The 2005/06 allocated budgets will enable this programme in its 2005/06 activities to increase the number of people participating in the projects and put in place monitoring and evaluation systems to assess the impact and sustainability of the projects.

4. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs and Tourism, having been briefed on the 16 February 2005 and deliberated on the 11 March 2005 on Budget Vote 27, of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, related to budget allocation to programmes such as administration, environmental quality and protection, marine and coastal management, tourism, biodiversity & conservation and, social responsibility & projects, concludes and recommends as follows:
4.1. Administration Programme
Noting that the aim of this programme is to provide strategic direction and oversee the overall management of the department and that the expenditure has increased from R127, 4 million in 2001/02 to R337, 2 million in 2002/03, then fell to R128, 2 million in 2004/05. It is recommended that the Department should appear before Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs and Tourism and the Select committee on Land and Environmental affairs during the second term of parliamentary session and committee week to brief them on its overall short, medium and long term strategic plan and detail of work in the implementation of sustainable development priorities and as indicated in the 2004 Johannesburg + 2 conference.
4.2. Environmental Quality and Protection Programme
Noting that the draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations were published for public comments in December 2004 and that March 2005 was targeted as a date of finalization of the regulations, it is recommended that the Department of Environmental and Tourism should appear before Portfolio and the Select Committees to brief them on the progress made in respect of the finalization of EIA regulations, development of waste information system and waste management planning guidelines and implementation and asbestos regulations.
4.3 Marine and Coastal Management Programme
Noting that Marine and Coastal Management programme of the Department has published on the 1st March 2005 19 policies to guide the 2005 allocation of commercial fishing rights for public comments and will be publishing a report by April 2005 on options for future management of fishing harbours and, by mid December 2005 long term fishing rights will be allocated, it is further recommended that the during the 2005 Second Term of Parliamentary session and committee week, Department of Environmental Affair and Tourism should appear before the Portfolio and Select Committees to brief them on each of the published 19 fishing policies and report on options for future management of fishing harbours.

Tourism Programme
Noting that the black economic empowerment score card will be launched in May 2005 during the Tourism Indaba to be held in Durban, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism should appear before the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs and Tourism and the Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs to brief members of the on black economic empowerment score card, institutional strategies, processes and, mechanism to be put to ensure successful implementation
4.5. Biodiversity and Conservation programme
Noting that the biodiversity and conservation has completed a national action programme to address land degradation and poverty eradication, the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism must appear before the Portfolio Committee and Select Committee to brief them on progress made in respect of National Action Programmme (NPA).
4.6. Social Responsibility and Projects Programme
Noting that the social responsibility and projects’ sub-programme provides for projects, which are targeted at infrastructure development, job creation and community training, it is recommended that the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism should appear before the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs and Tourism and the Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs to brief them on the progress made in respect of extended public works programme, monitoring and evaluation systems to be used to assess projects location, beneficiaries of the extended public works programme.
The Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs and Tourism wishes to expressed its gratitude to the Minister for leading the Departmental officials during the joint briefing sessions dated 16 February 2005. Thanks is also extended to the former Director-General, Dr C Olver and Acting Director- General, Ms P B Yako and Departmental teams for presenting 2005/06 Budget Vote 27 and for providing professionalism in answering questions raised by members at meetings.