What (a) is the allocated budget for small-scale timber initiatives in the 2025-26 financial year, (b) mechanisms has his department put in place to support small-scale timber farmers, particularly in light of market fluctuations and climat
Official source
Source domain: pmg.org.za
Collected on 17 June 2026
Always confirm details on the official source before acting.
What this means
What this document offers
Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.
Fire trucks on standby during the fire season to assist growers
During the fire season, the department makes fire trucks available on standby to assist growers in responding promptly and effectively to wildfire threats.
- Who it is for
- growers during the fire season facing wildfire threats
- How to act on it
- Request/receive assistance during the fire season when fire trucks are made available on standby to assist growers.
Show the line this came from
During the fire season, the DFFE also makes fire trucks available on standby to assist growers in responding promptly and effectively to any wildfire threats.
R6 million funding for Environmental Impact Assessments to enable afforestation (2025/2026)
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has allocated R6 million in the 2025/2026 financial year to fund Environmental Impact Assessments needed to obtain environmental authorisation for afforestation projects in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, to reduce regulatory barriers for small, medium and micro enterprises.
- Who it is for
- small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and small-scale timber growers seeking to expand through afforestation projects in Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal
- How to act on it
- Use the funded Environmental Impact Assessments required to obtain environmental authorisation for afforestation projects in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.
Show the line this came from
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has allocated R6 million in the 2025/2026 Financial Year to support the preparatory work aimed at unlocking opportunities for small-scale timber growers.
Forest certification using internationally recognised bodies (Forest Stewardship Council; Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification)
The department promotes forest certification through internationally recognised bodies such as the Forest Stewardship Council and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, ensuring timber is produced according to globally recognised sustainable forest management standards.
- Who it is for
- SMMEs and forestry operators seeking internationally recognised sustainable forest management certification
- How to act on it
- Pursue forest certification through the internationally recognised bodies promoted by the department.
Show the line this came from
the DFFE promotes forest certification through internationally recognised bodies such as the Forest Stewardship Council and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification.
Fire Protection Association membership fee coverage for communities with community forestry agreements
For communities that have signed community forestry agreements with the Minister, the department covers Fire Protection Association membership fees so communities can better prepare and manage increasing wildfire incidence linked to changing climatic conditions.
- Who it is for
- communities that have signed community forestry agreements with the Minister
- How to act on it
- Have a community forestry agreement with the Minister; then the department covers the Fire Protection Association membership fees.
Show the line this came from
the DFFE supports communities that have signed community forestry agreements with the Minister by covering their Fire Protection Association membership fees, enabling them to better prepare and manage the increasing incidence of wildfires associated with changing climatic conditions.
Tripartite Forestry Sector Master Plan (government-industry-labour) to support transformation and investment
The department implements the Forestry Sector Master Plan as a tripartite agreement between government, industry, and labour to ensure transformation, growth, and promotion of investment in the sector, supporting certification of more than 500 SMME growers.
- Who it is for
- the forestry sector stakeholders involved in transformation, growth, investment, and certification (including growers/SMMEs)
- How to act on it
- Engage through the Forestry Sector Master Plan tripartite agreement between government, industry, and labour.
Show the line this came from
Through the implementation of the Forestry Sector Master Plan, a tripartite agreement between government, industry, and labour was formalised to ensure the transformation, growth, and promotion of investment in the sector.
Ongoing climate-change research partnerships
To address climate change challenges, the department conducts ongoing research in partnership with academic and research institutions to support climate resilience for the sector.
- Who it is for
- small-scale timber growers and the forestry sector needing climate-change resilience support
- How to act on it
- Benefit from the department’s ongoing research conducted with academic and research institutions.
Show the line this came from
To address the challenges posed by climate change, the DFFE conducts ongoing research in partnership with academic and research institutions.
Forest certification support to improve market access and price stability
To mitigate market fluctuations, the department promotes forest certification for small-scale timber farmers to improve market access and price stability, including certification facilitated through the Forestry Sector Master Plan.
- Who it is for
- small-scale timber farmers and growers (including SMMEs) seeking better market access and price stability
- How to act on it
- Participate in the certification process promoted by the department under the Forestry Sector Master Plan and through industry collaboration.
Show the line this came from
To mitigate the impact of market fluctuations, the DFFE is promoting forest certification for small-scale timber farmers as a mechanism to improve market access and price stability.
Facts
Places
Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal
Reference
https://pmg.org.za/committee-question/36371/
Amounts
R 6 000 000
Key Takeaways
- question NW998
- department: Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
- allocated budget: R6 million (2025/2026 financial year)
- purpose: Environmental Impact Assessments for afforestation in Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal
- mechanisms: forest certification to improve market access and price stability
- policy framework: Forestry Sector Master Plan
- partnerships: tripartite government-industry-labour agreement
- certified growers: more than 500 SMMEs
- climate change response: ongoing research with academia
- community support: Fire Protection Association membership fees covered for communities with signed community forestry agreements
Dates
Opening Date
19 March 2026