OPDT   OIL & PROTEIN SEEDS DEVELOPMENT TRUST
OAC   OILSEEDS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

OPDT
OIL & PROTEIN SEEDS DEVELOPMENT TRUST

OAC
OILSEEDS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Minutes

SA Groundnut Forum (SAGF)
held on 24 August 2021 at 10:00 by means of a virtual platform (MS Teams)

  1. Opening

    The meeting was opened by the Chairperson, Ms A Botha with prayer.

  2. Welcome

    The Chairperson welcomed all present to the meeting of the Groundnut Forum. She reminded the members that the forum's Terms of Reference will apply for the duration of the meeting.

  3. Attendance

    Present
    Ms A Botha Chairperson
    Dr E Briendenhann OAC
    Mr C Beretta SGS
    Mr D Boltman LB Nuts
    Mr L de Kock Roba Foods
    Mr M Doukkali Canon Garth
    Mr H Engelbrecht PPECB
    M Ellard SGS
    Mr D Guerrero Canon Garth
    Ms W Haasbroek SGS
    Mr N Hawkins SAGIS
    Mr RW Higgs Triotrade
    Mr T Jansen C. Steinweg Bridge
    Ms C Jordaan SGS
    Dr C Joubert NAMC
    Mr G Keun Chief Executive Officer
    Ms C Laubscher RCL Foods
    Mr C Louw Grain SA
    Ms W Louw SAGL
    S Mahilall SGS
    Mr V Mapfumari DAFF
    Ms M Mattsson C. Steinweg Bridge
    Mr Wikus Mostert
    Ms L Muller Triotrade
    Mr R Nerwich Botnim Trading (Pty) Ltd
    Mr C Nortje GWK
    Mr F Prinsloo Tiger Brands
    Mr T Prinsloo ARC Grain Crops Institute
    Mr B Schultz SAGIS
    Ms M Scheepers DALRRD
    S Sardinha
    Mr A Snyman GWK
    Mr R Snyman Peanutworx (Pty) Ltd
    Mr W Snijman ARC Grain Crops Institute
    Dr S Steenkamp ARC-GCI
    Dr D Strydom Grain SA
    Ms L Swart SGS
    Ms M van der Merwe ARC Grain Crops Institute
    Mr L van der Walt Grain SA
    Mr G van Wyk VGM
    Mr N Wegner PPECB
    Mr A Visser Golden Peanut
    Ms M du Preez OPDT/OAC

    Apologies
    Mr K van Huyssteen SANSOR

  4. Personalia

    None.

  5. Finalisation of agenda

    The agenda was accepted with no addition.

    The Chairperson suggested that items 7.2.1, 7.3.2, 7.5.1, and 8.3.2 be combined and discussed under item 7.2.1.

  6. Approval of minutes

    With a few small corrections noted, the minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2021 were approved as a true reflection of the proceedings, and the Chairperson thanked the staff responsible for the accurate recording of the discussions.

    Resolutions:

    1. That the minutes of the meeting of the SA Groundnut Forum held on 11 February 2021 be approved.

      Chairperson
      Forum Members

    2. That the approved minutes of 11 February 2021 be published on the OPDT/OAC website after amendments have been made.

      Ms Du Preez
      Website

  7. Matters arising from the minutes

    1. Strategic Industry Plan

      1. Germination Laboratories

        (Resolution 9.2.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 11/02/2021)

        Notice was taken of the contents of the document "List of Germination Laboratories" attached to the agenda.

    2. Producer Interaction, Information, and Events

      1. Annual Farmer Day / Road Show – Presentation

        (Resolution 7.1.1.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 11/02/2021)

        The Chairperson gave feedback on the Roadshow that took place from 29 March to 1 April 2021.

        Breeding & Technology Statutory Levy
        Collaboration and support: ARC-Groundnut Section / Division

        The Chairperson gave an overview of the work that has been discussed during the Groundnut Value Chain meeting that took place on 23 August 2021.

        After a detailed discussion of the Breeding and Technology statutory levy, the forum members decided that:

        • The mother seed must be pure;
        • New technology be made available;
        • The final decisions are taken by the SA Groundnut Forum members;
        • No actions already in place are duplicated; and
        • An agreement is awaited from the ARC Grain Crops Institute in respect of the collaboration and support for the Groundnut section/division.

        Resolution:

        1. That it be noted:
          • That the nuclear/mother seed must be pure;
          • That new technology be made available;
          • That the final decisions are taken by the SA Groundnut Forum members;
          • That no actions already in place are duplicated; and
          • That agreement is awaited from the ARC Grain Crops Institute in respect of the collaboration and support for the Groundnut section/division.

          Chairperson
          Mr Keun

      2. Transparent Pricing & Market Information – Presentation

        (Resolution 7.1.2.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 11/02/2021)

        The Chairperson gave a presentation of the current progress on the work done with the "Trans­parent Pricing and Market Information".

        After a detailed discussion of the Chairpersons presentation, it was agreed that:

        • The pricing and market information model will not replace the work that is done by SAGIS;
        • The publication of the pricing and market information be handled very carefully;
        • It is not a price-fixing mechanism, but historical price information; and
        • It is a derived pricing and market information model.

        The Chairperson suggested that this marks the official launch of the pricing and marketing model, but that it has to be used in conjunction with the SAGIS and Grain SA models already available.

        Resolution:

        1. That the pricing and marketing model is officially launched and must be used in con­junction with the SAGIS and Grain SA models already available.

          Chairperson
          Mr Keun

    3. Tariffs and Levies

      1. Import Tariffs – Presentation

        (Resolution 7.3.1.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 11/02/2021)

        The Chairperson gave an overview of the progress on the tariff applications (Roasted Groundnuts and Peanut Butter) that were submitted to ITAC. After the closing period for public comments on 12 February 2021, two objections were received in respect of the Peanut Butter imports.

        The Chairperson mentioned that the necessary discussion took place with the relevant roleplayers in the Roasted Groundnuts and Peanut Butter Industry regarding the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (DTIC). This was completed on 7 July 2021 and was sent to the Minister for finalisation. The role ITAC played with regards to the tariff applications were finalised and feedback is awaited from DTIC.

        Resolution:

        1. That feedback from DTIC is awaited regarding the tariff applications for Roasted Ground­nuts and Peanut Butter.

          Chairperson
          Mr Keun

      2. Breeding & Technology Statutory Levy

        (Resolution 7.2.2.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 11/02/2021)

        This matter was discussed in detail under discussion point 7.2.1.

    4. Generic Marketing

      1. South African Delegation to Japan

        (Resolution 7.3.1.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 11/02/2021)

        The Chairperson suggested that the matter should remain on the agenda and be revisited once the industry has addressed some of the pertinent issues already discussed and are once again in a position to make responsible and relevant presentations to the international arena.

        Resolution:

        1. That the matter should remain on the agenda and will be revisited once the industry has addressed some of the pertinent issues already discussed and are once again in a position to make responsible and relevant presentations to the international arena.

          Chairperson
          Mr Keun
          Members

      2. Industry Quality Brand

        (Resolution 7.3.2.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 11/02/2021)

        Since this topic might be influenced by upcoming industry discussions, the Chairperson requested that the matter be held in abeyance for discussion at the next forum meeting.

        Resolution:

        1. That the matter be held in abeyance for discussion at the next forum meeting.

          Chairperson
          Mr Keun

    5. Industry Structure & Representation

      1. Operational Co-ordinating Position

        (Resolution 7.7.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 28/07/2020)

        After a brief overview, the Chairperson suggested that the matter should remain on the agenda and be revisited once the way forward with an operational co-ordinating position, including consideration of effective structures within other similar industries, has been finalised.

        Furthermore, it was suggested that a cost-effective structure for a co-ordinating position be established per project. The Chairperson requested that the matter be held in abeyance for discussion at the next forum meeting.

        Resolution:

        1. That a cost-effective structure for a co-ordinating position is established per project and that the matter is held in abeyance for discussion at the next forum meeting.

          Chairperson
          Mr Keun

  8. Industry information and marketing aspects

    1. Research

      1. GAP Audits

        (Resolution 8.1.1.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 11/02/2021)

        The Chairperson suggested that the matter be held in abeyance until further action or consultation is required through industry mandate.

        Resolution:

        1. That the matter be held in abeyance until further action or consultation is required through industry mandate.

          Chairperson
          Mr Keun

      2. Leaf Services

        (Resolution 8.1.2.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 11/02/2021)

        Notice was taken of the contents of the Leaf documents "Cost Reduction Chart" and "Leaf Services final notice of Fees 25 June 2021" that were attached as Annexure B to the agenda.

        Feedback with regards to Leaf Services will be communicated to the forum members.

        Resolution:

        1. That feedback with regards to Leaf Services will be communicated to the forum members.

          Chairperson
          Mr Keun

    2. Industry Information

      1. Crop and Area Estimates

        The contents of the document "Crop and Area Estimates" included in the agenda as Annexure C were noted.

        Notice was taken of the presentation of Ms Scheepers in respect of the Crop Estimates for Groundnuts for the 2021 season.

      2. SAGIS: General feedback and market information

        (Resolutions 8.2.2.1 and 8.2.2.2 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 11/02/2021)

        The contents of the document included in the agenda as Annexure D were noted.

        Notice was taken of the presentation of Mr Hawkins in respect of the SAGIS, general feedback and market information.

      3. PPECB Aflatoxin report

        (Resolution 8.2.3.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 11/02/2021)

        Notice was taken of the presentation of Mr Engelbrecht in respect of the PPECB Aflatoxin report and general feedback.

        The Chairperson undertook to write a letter requesting that all the laboratories that are involved with aflatoxin testing investigate the possibility of collaboration in supplying similar reports or information to the industry.

        Resolution:

        1. That the laboratories that are involved with aflatoxin testing be requested to collaborate in supplying similar reports or information to the industry to give more accurate feedback to the forum members.

          Chairperson

      4. Articles

        Notice was taken of the articles attached as Annexure E, to the agenda.

    3. Research and Technology

      1. Feedback on Cultivar Evaluation Project

        (Resolution 11.1.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 11/02/2021)

        The contents of the document "Cultivar Evaluation Project" are included in the agenda as Annexure F.

      2. Collaboration and Support: ARC-Groundnut Section/Division

        (Resolution 11.2.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 11/02/2021)

        This matter was discussed in detail under discussion point 7.2.1.

      3. Peanut Smut

        (Resolution 11.4.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 11/02/2021)

        The Chairperson undertook to discuss the matter with Mr Van Huyssteen from SANSOR in order to seek a solution to prevent peanut smut to come into South Africa.

        Resolutions:

        1. That a discussion with Mr Van Huyssteen from SANSOR will be conducted in order to seek a solution to prevent peanut smut to come into South Africa.

          Chairperson
          Mr Van Huyssteen

  9. Additional matters

    None.

  10. Meeting dates 2021

    The next meeting of the SA Groundnut forum was scheduled for 26 October 2021.

  11. Adjournment

    There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 13h10.