SA Groundnut Forum (SAGF)
held on 5 November 2008 at 10:00 at the Sellschop Building, ARC-GCI, Potchefstroom

1. Opening

   The meeting was opened with prayer offered by Mr du Preez.

2. Welcome

   The Chairperson welcomed all present.

3. Attendance

   Present
   Mr JCG du Preez	Chairperson
   Ms R Beukes	National Department of Agriculture
   Mr S Cilliers	Sunland International
   Mr AM Cronjé	Tiger Brands
   Mr GL de Kock	Roba Peanuts
   Mr O de Witt	SA Peanut Company
   Dr J Dreyer	ARC-GCI
   Ms M Edwards	Nola
   Ms A Enslin	SAGIS
   Mr N Hawkins	GrainSA
   Mr GTduT Keun	CEO: OPDT / OAC
   Mr W Lemmer	GrainSA
   Mr CJ Lourens	RE Groundnuts
   Mr GC Nortjé	GWK
   Ms C Makobe	National Department of Agriculture
   Mr M Mosome	National Department of Agriculture
   Mr JAM Potgieter	GrainSA
   Mr J Roux	Safrinut
   Ms L Salomon	ARC-GCI
   Ms A van Deventer	Praxia Trading
   Mr PJ van Heerden	PPECB
   Ms E Harmse	Secretariat
   Apologies
   Mr S Coetzee	PPECB
   Mr G Dreyer	Newnut
   Mr RW Higgs	Triotrade
   Mr W Laubscher	SANSOR
   Mr B Makhafola	National Department of Agriculture
   Mr C Mathews	Department of Agriculture: Mpumalanga
   Mr P Sanford	FR Waring
   Ms M Scheepers	National Department of Agriculture
   Mr GJH Scholtemeijer	Chairperson: Oilseeds Advisory Committee
   Mr J Vorster	NWK
   Dr W van der Walt	SANCU

4. Personalia

   None reported.

5. Confirmation of agenda

   The agenda was accepted as it stood, with the addition of:

   • Item 9.1 – PPECB: Food Safety Audits – Information sessions; and
   • Item 9.2 – PPECB: Quality and weight certification.

6. Approval of minutes

   1. Approval of the minutes of the meeting of the SA Groundnut Forum held on 28 August 2008

      Resolved:

      1. That the minutes of the meeting of the SA Groundnut Forum, which was held on 28 August 2008, be accepted as a true and fair reflection of that meeting.

7. Matters arising

   1. Good agricultural and processing practices

      (Resolutions 7.1.1 to 7.1.4 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 28 August 2008)

      The Chairperson raised the matter of hosting the document on good agricultural and processing practices and the attachment detailing the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles on both GrainSA's website and the website of the oilseeds industry, following which the media would be alerted to this initiative by means of a press release.

      Mr Hawkins reported that the guidelines for the primary agricultural production of groundnuts had been made available on GrainSA's website, but that the document on good manufacturing processes and the attachment detailing the HACCP principles had yet to be loaded on the website, as he was still awaiting an electronic copy of said documents in an acceptable format. Mr Keun confirmed that attention would be paid to the matter.

      It was noted that the Groundnut Forum's document on good agricultural and processing practices and the attachment detailing the HACCP principles had been forwarded to the Department of Health for their attention and comment.

      The Chairperson reported that the protocol document compiled by L&L Agricultural Services for the oilseeds and grain industry had been circulated to the members of the Groundnut Forum with 19 September as the deadline for comment, but that no comment had been received. The members were in agreement that the protocol document for the groundnut industry was acceptable to the various role players in the industry, and that it could be forwarded to the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Agriculture (DOA) together with the Groundnut Forum's other two documents on quality assurance.

      The Chairperson reported on resolution 7.1.4 pertaining to the DOA's fact finding mission into the matter of inspections on farms. He said the DOA wished to verify that food safety requirements could be met without the need for inspections on the farms, as inspections would be carried out at the processing or selection plant. He noted that this would bring the groundnut industry in line with the maize and wheat industries, where the silo is the first point of inspection. He said there were many small producers of groundnuts, that groundnut production was seldom the main activity of a producer, and that the audit fee producers had to pay for on-farm inspections could be a limiting factor in groundnut production.

      The Chairperson reported that Mr Higgs had volunteered to establish contact between the DOA and the producers and contractors associated with Triotrade. Mr van Heerden said PPECB had carried out inspections at 36 producers' farms at Hartswater and Vaalharts. He said only six sites had received PPECB approval, with the other sites not adhering to safety requirements with regard to storing poisonous chemicals. He suggested that the various processors should offer information sessions to their producers, if the DOA were to decide that the first point of inspection would be the processing or selection plant. He said safety requirements on storing and spraying chemicals should be made available to the producers in hard copy.

      Mr Keun reported that Mr Coetzee had discussed the matter of information sessions with producers with him, and that Mr Coetzee had indicated PPECB's willingness to conduct such information sessions. He said Mr Coetzee had requested the Forum's assistance in contacting the producers.

      Following on a short discussion, the members resolved to approve Mr Potgieter's motion that the DOA be provided with the names of the DOA's required number of farmers, representative of the whole spectrum of groundnut producers, ranging from large commercial producers, to emerging farmers in the Mafikeng area, with the Groundnut Forum's official request to the DOA that the processing level be the first point of inspection.

      It was also agreed that Mr Keun would provide the DOA with the contact details of Messrs De Kock, Lourens, Nortjé and Visser, to facilitate the DOA's fact finding mission with regard to on-farm inspections.

      Mr van Heerden reported that the PPECB planned to present a series of information sessions on food safety audits to groundnut producers during the second half of January. Mr Hawkins proposed that GrainSA publish an article on the findings of the food safety audits PPECB had conducted on the various groundnut producers farms. The meeting supported this proposal, with the Chairperson suggesting that Mr Hawkins approach Messrs Coetzee, Lourens and Van Heerden for assistance in this regard.

      Resolved:

      1. That an electronic copy of the document on good agricultural and processing practices and the attachment detailing the HACCP principles be made available to Grain SA for the purpose of making said documents available on GrainSA's website.

         Mr Keun

      2. That a press release be sent to the media after the document on good agricultural and processing practices and the attachment detailing the HACCP principles had been made available on both GrainSA's website and the website of the oilseeds industry.

         Chairperson

      3. That the protocol document for the groundnut industry be forwarded to the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Agriculture (DOA) together with the Groundnut Forum's other two documents on quality assurance.

         Chairperson

      4. That the DOA be provided with the names of the DOA's required number of farmers, representative of the whole spectrum of groundnut producers, ranging from large commercial producers, to emerging farmers in the Mafikeng area, with the Groundnut Forum's official request to the DOA that the processing level be the first point of inspection.

         Chairperson

      5. That the DOA be provided with the contact details of Messrs De Kock, Lourens, Nortjé and Visser, to facilitate the DOA's fact finding mission with regard to on-farm inspections.

         Mr Keun

      6. That it be noted that GrainSA intended to publish an article on the findings of the food safety audits PPECB had conducted on the various groundnut producers farms, and that Mr Hawkins would approach Messrs Coetzee, Lourens and Van Heerden for assistance in this regard.

         Members

   2. Guideline: Aflatoxin

      (Resolutions 7.2.1 and 7.2.2 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 28 August 2008)

      The Chairperson reported that the task team which had been appointed to investigate possible ways to limit aflatoxin risk had resulted in the recommendation that Dr Dreyer was to compile guidelines for producers on the best production techniques to prevent or minimize mould or aflatoxin contamination during the growing and harvesting of groundnuts, as part of a renewed campaign aimed at producers.

      The meeting took cognisance that Dr Dreyer had submitted an article for publication in "SAGrain", and that he intended to submit a second article on good practices to adhere to at harvest time.

      The Chairperson raised the matter of the resolution passed at the previous meeting, viz resolution 7.2.2 "That a comprehensive guideline on limiting aflatoxin should be compiled for all legs of the groundnut supply chain ...". He said the guideline, which would be compiled by Mr Bosman and himself, would hopefully be completed in the first half of 2009.

      With regard to obtaining data from PPECB on the occurence of aflatoxin on groundnuts delivered in South Africa, Mr Keun reported that such data was not readily available, and that a comprehensive form had to be completed in terms of the Access to Information Act (Act no 2 of 2000) in order to obtain said data which has been done.

      Resolved:

      1. That a comprehensive guideline on limiting aflatoxin infection be compiled for all legs of the groundnut supply chain.

         Chairperson

   3. Sustainability of the groundnut industry

      (Resolutions 7.3.1 and 7.3.2 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 28 August 2008)

      The Chairperson called on Dr Dreyer to report on Ms Pretorius's overseas study tour. Dr Dreyer said the purpose of the study tour to the United States of America (USA) had been to source technical information on breeding groundnuts. He said Ms Pretorius had made valuable contacts, and had also managed to negotiate local evaluation of a number of groundnut cultivars from the USA. He mentioned that research attention was currently paid to breeding for aflatoxin resistance and breeding mid to high oleic groundnut cultivars. He suggested that Ms Pretorius report on her study tour to the United States at a following meeting of the Groundnut Forum.

      The meeting took cognisance of the fact that the current trend world-wide was towards healthier oils, and that high oleic groundnuts would be the cultivar of the future.

      The Chairperson reported that he and Dr Dreyer had been tasked to investigate the availability of overseas cultivars for evaluation in local cultivar trials. He also mentioned that the Oilseeds Advisory Committee (OAC) had tasked him to ascertain what the requirements and priorities of the groundnut industry were, in order to best promote the industry.

      The members were in agreement that the Management Committee of the Groundnut Forum would be tasked to identify the requirements and priorities of the local groundnut industry in promoting the South African groundnut industry, so that the Chairperson could report to the OAC in this regard at their meeting on 26 January 2009.

      Resolved:

      1. That Ms Pretorius would report on her study tour to the United States at a following meeting of the Groundnut Forum.

         Members
         Mr Keun

      2. That the Management Committee of the Groundnut Forum was tasked to identify the requirements and priorities of the local groundnut industry in promoting the South African groundnut industry, so that the Chairperson could report to the OAC in this regard at their meeting on 26 January 2009.

         Members

   4. Draft regulations pertaining to the grading and packaging of groundnuts of primary producers destined for packaging in the Republic of South Africa

      (Resolution 7.4.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 28 August 2008)

      The Chairperson called on Mr van Heerden to report on the matter of the finalisation of the draft regulations relating to the grading and packaging of groundnuts of primary producers destined for packaging in the Republic of South Africa.

      Mr van Heerden reported that he had finalised the regulations, as per the relevant discussion on the matter at the previous meeting of the Forum, but that he had unfortunately not finalised the document timeously in order to circulate it to the parties concerned.

      Mr Hawkins reported that the groundnut producers had requested that the document be presented to them at the breakaway session during the GrainSA Congress to be held in March, following which a final decision would be made on either its formalisation as a legal document, or its adoption as a working document in the industry.

      The members took cognisance that the draft regulations relating to the grading and packaging of groundnuts of primary producers destined for packaging in the Republic of South Africa, as revised and amended by Mr van Heerden, would be circulated to the members of the Groundnut Forum for comment by 30 January, following which the document would be presented to the groundnut producers' breakaway session at the GrainSA Congress in March for a decision on the way forward.

      Resolved:

      1. That the draft regulations relating to the grading and packaging of groundnuts of primary producers destined for packaging in the Republic of South Africa, as revised and amended by Mr van Heerden, would be circulated to the members of the Groundnut Forum for comment by 30 January, following which the document would be presented to the groundnut producers' breakaway session at the GrainSA Congress in March for a decision on the way forward.

         Members

   5. Seed scheme

      (Resolution 7.5.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 28 August 2008)

      The Chairperson ruled that this discussion item be held in abeyance.

      Resolved:

      1. That the options for future seed production be held in abeyance until clarity has been established on the possible commercialisation of a number of the ARC's functions.

         Mr Keun
         Dr Dreyer

   6. International Standards

      (Resolution 7.6.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 28 August 2008)

      The Chairperson referred the members of the Forum to their resolution that the Medical Research Council be approached with the view to obtaining a project proposal and project budget for determining the nutritional values of the cultivars Akwa, Anel, Kwarts and SA Juweel. He said the Medical Council would charge in the region of R600 000 to undertake such an endeavour.

      The Chairperson reported that he had made enquiries as to the type of nutritional information that was currently available on local groundnuts, and asked whether it would be necessary to provide more information than the basic data that was already available.

      Mr de Witt reminded the members of the Forum that the original request had emanated from buyers in Europe, in order to comply with international labelling requirements on food composition. He said exports of groundnuts to Europe had since decreased significantly, and that, in his company's experience, such compliance was no longer required. He reported that exports to Japan represented 55% of the market, and that Japan had no such requirements in place, as they performed their own analyses for labelling purposes. Mr Roux proposed that the matter be held in abeyance until such time further enquiries were received from European buyers.

      The members were in agreement that nutritionists would be approached in order to ascertain what nutritional values of groundnuts were considered to be the basic and most important for labelling purposes, and that Nola and Tiger Brands would be approached to determine what information was already available for inclusion in a small database on the nutritional values of selected South African groundnut cultivars.

      Resolved:

      1. That nutritionists be approached in order to ascertain what nutritional values of groundnuts were considered to be the basic and most important for labelling purposes, and that Nola and Tiger Brands would be approached to determine what information was already available for inclusion in a small database on the nutritional values of selected South African groundnut cultivars.

         Chairperson

   7. Quality groundnut seed

      (Resolution 9.11.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 28 August 2008)

      The members took cognisance that SANSOR had been requested to certify groundnut seed as adhering to a minimum grade two quality.

8. Industry information and marketing aspects

   1. SAGIS: General feedback and market information

      The members took cognisance of the market information prepared for the Groundnut Forum by SAGIS and dated 5 November, as well as the SAGIS weekly bulletin dated 21 October and the monthly bulletin dated 23 September 2008.

      The members noted that the oilseed industry's membership contribution to SAGIS amounted to 14,3% of the SAGIS annual budget.

   2. Crop and Area estimates

      (Resolution 8.2.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 28 August 2008)

      The Chairperson raised the matter of resolution 8.2.1, which was passed at a previous meeting of the Forum, and which held that the Crop Estimates Committee would be requested to investigate sourcing appropriate contacts in an effort to obtain more accurate information on which estimates could be based.

      Ms Beukes reported that appropriate contacts had been sourced with the assistance of Mr Lourens, and that their inputs, as well as those of the DOA, the provincial departments of agriculture, producers and the consortium, had been included in the March crop estimates.

      The members took cognisance of the content of the document on the intentions to plant summer crops as at 23 October. Ms Beukes confirmed that she had access to information pertaining to the number of hectares on which groundnuts were produced under irrigation as opposed to the number of hectares on which groundnuts were produced on dry land. It was noted that said information would be tabled at the following meeting of the Forum.

      Resolved:

      1. That information pertaining to the number of hectares on which groundnuts are produced under irrigation as opposed to the number of hectares on which groundnuts are produced on dry land in South Africa would be tabled at the following meeting of the Forum.

         Ms Beukes
         Mr Keun

   3. Import and export parity prices

      (Resolution 8.3.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 28 August 2008)

      The Chairperson said after a lengthy debate on the matter it had been resolved that he would discuss the matter of the calculation of export parity prices calculated ex Durban as well as ex Randfontein with SAGIS, based on Argentinian 60/70's which were comparable to South African 60/70's, based on the Rotterdam price, using Georgalos's information as quoted on a weekly basis, as and when Argentina was in the market.

      Following on an extensive debate on the advantages and disadvantages of publishing import and export parity prices for groundnuts, and the need for transparency in the groundnut industry, it was agreed that SAGIS would continue calculating and publishing import parity prices for groundnuts. It was also agreed that SAGIS would henceforth calculate an export parity price for groundnuts, ex Durban, using Georgalos's information on Argentinian 40/50's minus 3,5%, based on the Rotterdam price, and applying the daily exchange rate for the South African rand.

      The meeting took cognisance of the document on the import and export parity prices of Argentinian and US groundnuts, 40/50, aflatoxin free, and the derived producer price for 60/70 aflatoxin free groundnuts, as calculated by GrainSA. It was also noted that producers planned eighteen to twenty four months in advance, depending on the production system followed, and that pricing information was considered to be essential in agriculture, as the information was used on a continuous basis to determine production capacity.

      It was agreed that the matter of publishing import and export parity prices for groundnuts had been finalised, and would not be open for further discussion.

      Resolved:

      1. That SAGIS would continue calculating and publishing import parity prices for groundnuts.

         Chairperson
         Ms Enslin

      2. That SAGIS would henceforth calculate an export parity price for groundnuts, ex Durban, using Georgalos's information on Argentinian 40/50's minus 3,5%, based on the Rotterdam price, and applying the daily exchange rate for the South African rand.

         Chairperson
         Ms Enslin

      3. That the matter of publishing import and export parity prices for groundnuts had been finalised, and would not be open for further discussion.

         Members

9. Additional items

   1. PPECB: Food Safety Audits – Information sessions

      This matter was discussed and minuted under item 7.1.

   2. PPECB: Quality and weight certification

      Mr van Heerden mentioned that Sunland had requested an additional certificate from PPECB, but that the matter had since been resolved. He explained that the export certification confirmed the grading applicable to the product, which by implication confirmed the quality of the product. He added that a separate weight certificate would not be required, as the certification was issued on a specific weight.

10. Election of office bearers

    1. Election of Chairperson

       The Chairperson called on Mr Keun to handle the matter of the election of the Chairperson of the Groundnut Forum. Mr Keun explained that the Chairperson was elected for a period of two years, and represented the groundnut industry on the Oilseeds Advisory Committee. He called for nominations for the position. Mr JCG du Preez was elected unanimously as Chairperson of the Groundnut Forum.

       Resolved:

       1. That Mr JCG du Preez be elected to serve as Chairperson of the Groundnut Forum for a period of two years.

          Mr Keun

    2. Election of Management Committee

       The Chairperson called for nominations from each sector of the industry for members of the Forum to serve on the Management Committee of the Groundnut Forum. The following members were nominated, and duly elected to serve as members of the Management Committee:

       • Chairperson of the Groundnut Forum (ex officio),
       • Processors – Chairperson PTA (ex officio),
       • Exporters – Mr P Sanford,
       • Peanut Butter Manufacturers – Ms M Edwards,
       • Consumers – Dr W van der Walt,
       • Producers – Mr JAM Potgieter,
       • PPECB – Mr P van Heerden.

       Resolved:

       1. That the following persons be elected as members of the Management Committee of the Groundnut Forum:
          • Chairperson of the Groundnut Forum (ex officio),
          • Processors – Chairperson PTA (ex officio),
          • Exporters – Mr P Sanford,
          • Peanut Butter Manufacturers – Ms M Edwards,
          • Consumers – Dr W van der Walt,
          • Producers – Mr JAM Potgieter,
          • PPECB – Mr P van Heerden.

          Mr Keun

    3. Research Priority Committee

       The Chairperson called for nominations from each sector of the industry for members to serve on the Research Priority Committee. The following members were nominated, and duly elected to serve as members of the Research Priority Committee of the Groundnut Forum:

       • Chairperson (as convenor),
       • Producers – Mr P Botha,
       • Processors – Chairperson of the PTA (ex officio),
       • Traders – Mr O de Witt,
       • Manufacturers – Ms M Edwards,
       • Consumers – Dr W van der Walt,
       • ARC representative to be co-opted as advisor.

       Resolved:

       1. That the following persons be nominated as members of the Research Priority Committee of the Groundnut Forum:
          • Chairperson (as convenor),
          • Producers – Mr P Botha,
          • Processors – Chairperson of the PTA (ex officio),
          • Traders – Mr O de Witt,
          • Manufacturers – Ms M Edwards,
          • Consumers – Dr W van der Walt,
          • ARC representative to be co-opted as advisor.

          Mr Keun

11. Meeting dates

    The proposed meeting dates for 2009 were unanimously accepted, viz.

    • 19 February (Rivonia)
    • 23 April (Potchefstroom)
    • 23 July (Rivonia)
    • 4 November (Potchefstroom)

12. Adjournment

    The Chairperson wished the members well over the festive season. He thanked the members of the Forum for their attendance at, and contributions to the meeting, and wished all a safe journey home. There being no further matters for discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 13:00.