WILDERNESS & WATER: Avocados, unanswered questions and a pristine lake in the firing line

A proposed avocado farm near Sedgefield has conservationists questioning whether PG Bison's environmental promises extend beyond paper. The last time PG Bison utilized its sprinklers near Groenvlei, it aimed to save burnt timber following the 2017 Knysna fires. Now, the company seeks to use the same boreholes to grow avocados. Charles Scott, a committee member of the Wilderness and Lakes Environmental Action Forum (Waleaf), notes a significant difference between wetting logs and watering an orchard, as the former doesn't require fertilizers.

However, Groenvlei, a freshwater lake in the Goukamma Nature Reserve, supports unique fish populations and living stromatolites. PG Bison obtained a water-use license for the orchard in August 2025, but Waleaf and CapeNature have appealed. The company aims to draw 3.83 million liters of water per day, less than the annual allowance for timber extraction.

PG Bison claims groundwater levels around the lake remained stable during the logging period and rose after rains. However, Gray Rutherford from Waleaf worries about chemical runoff from fertilizers, fungicides, and pesticides entering the lake via groundwater. He contends that a heavy downpour could wash these contaminants into the lake, causing irreversible damage.

Additionally, concerns arise regarding wildlife displaced by fencing and the potential for crop-raiding by monkeys. PG Bison asserts that the farm plan preserves indigenous fynbos and maintains wildlife pathways. Waleaf, however, seeks an independent environmental impact assessment and questions why PG Bison persistently ignores concerns from conservation bodies.