The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has published the draft National Veld and Forest Fire Amendment Bill, 2013. The Bill intends to amend that National Veld and Forest Fire Act 101 of 1998 by, inter alia:
- Providing for the penalty to the state, state owned entity and municipalities for not acquiring membership of the Fire Protection Association;
- Assignment, delegation and administration of matters pertaining to veld and forest fire management to MECs and municipal councils;
- Providing for the establishment of the Intergovernmental Forum on Forestry Resources;
- Providing for the establishment and functioning of the Forestry Resources Review Board.
