SA Groundnut Forum (SAGF)
held on 10 February 2023 at 10:00 at the PRF Office building and also by means of a virtual platform (MS Teams)

1. Opening

   The meeting was opened with prayer by Mr C Vercueil.

2. Welcome

   The Chairperson welcomed all present to the first meeting of the Groundnut Forum for 2023. 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
   Mr T Clark	RCL Foods
   Dr D Naicker	SGS
   Mr H Engelbrecht	PPECB
   Mr M Fache	DLRRD: FSQA
   Mr E Goldschagg	SANSOR
   Mr RW Higgs	Triotrade
   Mr TG Jansen	C. Steinweg Bridge
   Mr G Keun	Chief Executive Officer
   Ms C Leswifi	DALRRD
   Mr V Mapfumari	DALRRD
   Ms S Marape	Inoks Capital
   Ms L Muller	Triotrade
   Mr C Nortje	GWK
   Mr T Prinsloo	ARC-GCI
   Mr B Schultz	SAGIS
   Ms M Scheepers	DALRRD
   Mr A Snyman	GWK
   Dr W Snijman	ARC-GCI
   Dr S Steenkamp	ARC-GCI
   Mr C Vercueil	Grain SA
   Mr PA Visser	SA Peanut
   Ms M Du Preez	OPDT
   Apologies
   Dr E Briedenhann	OAC
   Mr GL de Kock	Roba Foods
   Mr W Lemmer	Agbiz Grain
   Mr K van Huyssteen	SANSOR
   Mr S Thabethe	Department of Health

4. Governance/Personalia

   The Chairperson reminded the forum members that the terms and rules of the Competition Commission needed to be considered.

   Condolences and sympathy were extended to the family of Mr Gerhard de Kock from Roba Foods on his passing.

5. Confirmation of agenda

   The agenda was adopted with the following additions:

   • 7.1.4: A Study to investigate products competing and substituting groundnuts and groundnut products
   • 7.4.2.2: MRL testing required for imports
   • 7.5.2: Annual MRL List
   • 7.5.3: Industry project for price structure and producer profitability
   • 7.5.4: Japan Import Tariffs

6. Approval of minutes

   1. Approval of the minutes of the meeting of the SA Groundnut Forum held on 3 November 2022

      Resolution:

      1. That the minutes of the meeting of the SA Groundnut Forum held on 3 November 2022, be approved.

7. Matters for discussion

   1. Research and Technology Transfer

      1. ARC Breeding Programme

         The Chairperson briefly mention that most of the detail relating to the ARC cultivar breeding program has been shared at the Groundnut symposium and that an article was published in the Oilseeds Focus. A meeting has been scheduled with the ARC-GCI management team for Thursday, 16 February 2023, via the SA Groundnut Association to discuss the protocols and basis for agreements and collaboration, including the continuation of, the work with ICRISAT that has already been initiated.

         The Chairperson thanked the ARC for continued work on the breeding programme. She mentioned that the industry will continue to be involved in the breeding programme and plans are underway to increase collaboration and support. Feedback in this regard will be communicated to the forum.

         Resolution:

         1. That the industry will continue to be involved in the breeding programme and that feedback will be communicated to the forum.

            Chairperson

      2. Industry Collaboration - ARC Cultivar Development, Evaluation, Maintenance and Seed Multiplication

         The Chairperson mentioned that like in item 7.1.1 agreements need to be discussed regarding cultivar development, evaluation, and maintenance, as it was an ongoing project. Discussion about the industry's future involvement will also form part of these discussions.

         In the meantime, the process to formalise the industry's direct involvement in cultivar main­tenance and breeder seed production can now resume since the DNA profiling of the ARC main cultivars has been completed. The cultivar development, evaluation and maintenance will be discussed at the meeting taking place on Thursday, 16 February 2023. Once the necessary protocols and basis for the agreements were finalised, feedback will be communicated to the forum.

         Resolution:

         1. That feedback on the ARC Cultivar Development, Evaluation, Maintenance and Seed Multiplication will be communicated to the forum.

            Chairperson

      3. Research Projects

         1. Research Funding 2022/2023

            (Resolution 7.1.3.1.1 of the Groundnut Forum minutes of 03/11/2022)

            The Chairperson mentioned that the project "Addressing Aflatoxin contamination in the South African peanut value chain", has been circulated to the forum for comments on 6 February 2023. During the last meeting of the Oilseeds Advisory Committee, there were mixed feelings regarding the mentioned project's funding. The Chairperson asked the forum members to submit their comments in respect of the project in order to give feedback to the Oilseeds Advisory Committee regarding the need for the study. Mention is made of the possible merits of the project, but concern is also raised regarding the sampling plan contained in the project proposal.

            Resolution:

            1. That the forum members must submit their comments to the Chairperson in respect of the project "Addressing Aflatoxin contamination in the South African peanut value chain" in order to give feedback to the OAC regarding the need for the study.

               Chairperson

      4. A Study to investigate products competing and substituting groundnuts and groundnut products

         (Resolution 7.3.2.1 of the Groundnut Forum minutes of 03/11/2022)

         The Chairperson give some background information regarding the previous discussion on the study to investigate products competing and substituting groundnuts and groundnut products and ask why the industry needs such a study and how it will be used after the study is complete.

         After a lengthy discussion, it was decided that the relevant information was available and that an industry plan needs to be formulated before a final decision will be taken on the necessity of an in-depth study to investigate products competing and substituting groundnuts and groundnut products, also with the intent of informing generic marketing drives.

         Resolution:

         1. That an industry plan needs to be formulated before a final decision will be taken on the necessity of an in-depth study to investigate products competing and substituting groundnuts and groundnut products.

            Chairperson

   2. Tariffs and Levies

      1. Import Tariffs

         (Resolution 7.2.1.1 of the Groundnut Forum minutes of 03/11/2022)

         An MOU had been signed with DTIC in July 2021; the two applications for import tariffs (Roasted Groundnut and Peanut Butter) were confirmed pending review and a decision by Minister Patel. A general delay with the ministerial approvals was experienced and the consultants advised that the inaction presented an undue delay in finalising the applications and could be construed as a denial of administrative justice. A letter was sent to Minister Patel via the legal council to explain the implication of the delay of the import tariffs (Roasted Groundnut and Peanut Butter) on the industry and was followed up, but no feedback was received from the Minister. A 2nd legal letter of demand was submitted to the Minister by Prinsloo Bekker Attorneys.

         The Chairperson confirmed that after the previous forum meeting, a meeting was scheduled with Mr Theo Boshoff, AGBIZ's CEO in December 2022. A detailed summary was sent after the meeting given the current situation with the Import tariff, requesting AGBIZ to lobby on the industry's behalf where the opportunity arises. No further feedback or response was received from AGBIZ.

         Furthermore, the Chairperson mentioned that she received a call from Mr Abraham Hanekom, Deputy Director, Stakeholder Management at the office of the Minister of Trade and Industry. Mr Hanekom confirmed that the applications were actively being attended to. Any further feedback in this regard will be communicated to the forum.

         Resolution:

         1. That feedback regarding the Import tariff applications be communicated to the forum.

            Chairperson
            Mr Keun

   3. Industry Standards and Regulatory Matters

      1. Peanuts Smut – Import Standards from Argentina

         (Resolution 7.4.2.1 of the Groundnut Forum minutes of 03/11/2022)

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

         The Chairperson reported that the necessary groundwork has been conducted regarding requests to amend the import standards of blanched groundnuts from Argentina as relating to Peanut Smut. The suggested amendment has been sent to the DALRRD: Plant Protection and they were requested to liaise with the Argentinian authorities. DALRRD responded on the 1st of February 2023 that the request to amend the previously accepted standard must be sent from the exporting country's relevant authorities. She also mentioned that she did communicate the proposed changes in the South African Import standard to the Argentina Peanut Foundation which confirmed that a meeting has been set up with their governing body for early February. Feedback in this regard will be communicated to the forum.

         Resolution:

         1. That feedback regarding the amended import standard to Argentina and the Argentina Peanut Foundation will be communicated to the forum.

            Chairperson
            Mr Keun

      2. Crop Protection: Minor Use Classification

         (Resolution 7.4.1.1 of the Groundnut Forum minutes of 03/11/2023)

         The Chairperson reported that she had a discussion with Dr Sonia Steenkamp and during the discussion, it came to light that not enough information is currently available to support any application for the registration of Velum for nematode control on groundnuts. Dr Steenkamp also confirmed this with Mr Thilivhali Nephamadi (private regulatory consultant) and Mr Dirk Uys (Bayer). It would be best that a small trial with Velum be done on groundnuts before any registrations will be discussed. Some concerns, other than effectiveness relate to the cost of registration for products on a small crop such as groundnuts and that optimum application windows could impact withholding periods. Feedback in this regard will be communicated to the forum.

         Resolution:

         1. That a small trial with Velum be done on groundnuts before any registrations will be discussed and feedback be communicated to the forum.

            Chairperson
            Mr Keun

      3. Import Quality, Regulatory Control and MRL Testing

         (Resolutions 7.3.3.1, 7.3.3.2 and 7.4.2.2 of the Groundnut Forum minutes of 03/11/2023)

         The Chairperson mentioned that she has been in contact with Mr Thabethe, and he was awaiting feedback from Port Health and Environmental Health Services regarding a meeting on aflatoxin imports.

         The Chairperson mentioned that it was important to have a workshop with the relevant role players to discuss concerns and questions that the industry may have regarding imports, exports and MRL testing.

         Resolutions:

         1. That feedback from Mr Thabethe was awaited regar-ding a meeting with Port Health and Environmental Health Services.

            Chairperson
            Mr Keun

         2. That a workshop will be held with relevant role players to discuss concerns and questions that the industry may have regarding import, exports and MRL testing.

            Chairperson
            Mr Keun

   4. Industry

      1. Crop and Area Estimates

         The contents of the document included in the agenda as Annexure B were noted and notice was taken of the presentation of Ms Scheepers in respect of the preliminary area planted estimate for Groundnuts for the 2023 season.

      2. SA Grain Information Services (SAGIS)

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

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

      3. Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB)

         Notice was taken of the presentation from Mr Engelbrecht in respect of the PPECB aflatoxin results.

         The Chairperson thanked Mr Engelbrecht for the presentation on the aflatoxin results and mentioned that the industry was very privileged to have such information available. She will be in contact with PPECB to supply information for the upcoming workshop.

         Resolution:

         1. That the Chairperson will ask PPECB to supply information for the upcoming workshop.

            Chairperson

      4. Articles

         The contents of the articles included in the agenda as Annexure E were noted.

   5. General

      1. Intended phase-out of active ingredients and products classified as CMR categories 1A and 1B

         Notice was taken of the documents in respect of the intended phase-out of active ingredients and products classified as CMR categories 1A and 1B.

         After a discussion of the documents, it was resolved that the industry will be kept informed of any further communication in this regard and comments to be forwarded to CropLife which was in contact with the Registrar's Office regarding the intended phase-out of active ingredients and products classified as CMR categories 1A and 1B.

         Resolution:

         1. That the industry will be kept informed of any further communication in this regard and comments to be forwarded to CropLife which was in contact with the Registrar's Office regarding the intended phase-out of active ingredients and products classified as CMR categories 1A and 1B.

            Chairperson
            Mr Keun

      2. Annual MRL List

         The Chairperson indicated that the latest MRL list has been received and will be circulated shortly to the forum members and made available on the OPOT/OAC website.

         Resolution:

         1. That the latest MRL list has been received and will be circulated shortly to the forum members and made available on the OPDT/OAC website.

            Mr Keun

      3. Industry Project for price structure and producer profitability

         Mr Vercueil reported that during a GSA regional meeting, it was mentioned that if the groundnut farmers were paid the correct price, they will plant enough groundnuts for local use and for export purposes.

         The Chairperson pointed out that this statement must be added to the agenda of the workshop as one of the problem statements and how it could be addressed.

         The Chairperson request Mr Vercueil to supply the request of the farmers regarding the groundnut price in writing to the office to be able to address the matter during the said workshop. She also mentioned that it was necessary that a Groundnut Value Chain meeting be held to discuss concerning Groundnut Industry topics.

         Resolutions:

         1. That the statement of the farmers "If the price is right the farmers will plant enough groundnuts" be added to the agenda of the workshop as one of the problem statements.

            Chairperson
            Mr Keun

         2. That a Groundnut Value Chain meeting be held to discuss concerning Groundnut Industry topics.

            Chairperson
            Mr Keun

      4. Japan Imports Tariffs

         This item will stand over for discussion at the next meeting.

8. Meeting dates 2023

   The date of the next meeting was scheduled for:

   • 24 October 2023

9. Adjournment

   The Chairperson expressed her gratitude for the contributions and inputs provided by the participants, expressing the hope of renewed personal interaction and attendance of meetings in future. The meeting was adjourned at 12h36.