The National Emergent Red Meat Producers Organisation (Nerpo) met ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe on Thursday to discuss their concerns about stock theft.

"We are pleased to note that the secretary general has agreed and supported most of our concerns and his undertaking to consult with the respective party sub-committees and Ministries, as a way of getting direct interventions to challenges facing the emerging sector," Nerpo said in a statement following the meeting.

While the issue of stock theft was high on government's agenda, Mantashe said it competed with other criminal activity for attention such as cash heists, mall robberies and ATM bombings, the organisation said.

Farmers lost around R365-million to stock theft in 2008.

The organisation wanted to meet the ANC to seek political intervention on issues confronting emerging lifestock farmers.

It would meet Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Gugile Nkwinti on November, 27 to discuss the government's land reform policy.

Sapa

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