SA Groundnut Forum (SAGF)
held on 17 July 2019 at 10:00 at the offices of the Oilseeds Industry, 49 River Road, Woodmead

1. Opening

   Mr Wessel Higgs opened the meeting with a prayer.

2. Welcome

   The Chairperson welcomed all present at the meeting of the SA Groundnut Forum and extended a special welcome to the BFAP team, and reminded the meeting that the roles, conduct, and guidelines as set out in the forum's Terms of Reference will apply.

3. Attendance

   Present
   Ms A Botha	Chairperson
   Dr E Briendenhann	OAC
   Mr T Clark	RCL Foods
   Mr L De Kock	Roba Foods
   Ms M Delport	BFAP
   Mr J Eksteen	SGS
   Mr J Erasmus	ARC Grain Crops Institute
   Mr E Goldschagg	SANSOR
   Mr N Hawkins	SAGIS
   Mr R W Higgs	Triotrade
   Mr T Jansen	C Steinweg Bridge
   Mr G Keun	Chief Executive Officer
   Mr C Krüger	Bureau Veritas
   Mr H Lazarus	LB Nuts
   Ms C Loubser	RCL Foods
   Mr F Meyer	BFAP
   Mr R Mommsen	C Steinweg Bridge
   Ms L Muller	Triotrade
   Mr R Nerwich	Botnim TDC
   Mr GC Nortjé	GWK
   Mrs G Phekani	Milele Group
   Mr P Sanford	FRW
   Ms M Scheepers	DAFF
   Mr W Snijman	ARC
   Mr L van der Walt	Grain SA
   Mr G van Wyk	VGM
   Mr A Visser	Golden Peanut
   Apologies
   Mr P van Heerden	PPECB
   Mr C J Wegner	PPECB
   Mr K van Huyssteen	SANSOR
   Mr C Louw	Grain SA
   Mr G Bruwer	Grain SA Workgroup
   By invitation
   Gerhard Burgh	BFAP
   Mrs M Delport	BFAP
   Ms H Ottermann	BFAP

4. Personalia

   A moment of silence was held to remember Mr Paul van Wyk, who died on the 31st of March 2019 and the Forum members expressed sympathy with the family and friends.

5. Finalisation of agenda

   The agenda was accepted, with the addition of:

   • Item 10.4 – Alpha Trials
   • Item 10.5 – Aflatoxin Testing

6. Approval of minutes

   The minutes of the meeting held on 14 February 2019 reflect as a true version of the proceedings. The Chairperson suggested that the minutes be approved and thanked the staff responsible for the accurate recording of discussions.

   Resolution:

   1. That the minutes of the meeting of the SA Groundnut Forum held on 14 February 2019 be approved.

   Chairperson
   Forum Members

7. Matters arising from the minutes

   1. Strategic Industry Plan

      Notice was taken of the document, SA Groundnut Forum Projects & Key Objectives 2018/19, provided during the meeting.

      After discussion of the document, the Chairperson said that the revised version would be submitted at the next Forum meeting.

      Resolution:

      1. That a revised document be submitted at the next forum meeting.

         Chairperson
         Mr Keun

      1. Groundnut Symposium

         The Chairperson mentioned that it was decided during previous meeting that the Groundnut Symposium will be kept on the agenda.

      2. Farmers' Day

         (Resolution 7.2.1.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 14/02/2019)

         The Chairperson said that feedback regarding the dates provided during the last meeting was not suitable for all parties involved. Suggestions were made to reschedule the Farmers' Day for September 2019 or March 2020.

         Suitable dates for the Farmers' Day will be communicated to the forum members after the Grain SA Groundnut Specialist Workgroup meeting to be held on 6 August 2018.

         1. That suitable dates be communicated to the forum members after the Grain SA Groundnut Specialist Workgroup meeting.

            Chairperson
            Mr Keun
            Members

   2. LEAF services

      (Resolution 7.2.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 14/02/2019)

      The Chairperson mentioned that no feedback had been received from LEAF Services. It was decided to keep the matter on the agenda.

      Resolution:

      1. That progress related to LEAF Services/SGS, be communicated to the forum members.

         Chairperson
         Mr Keun
         Members

   3. Tariff codes on blanched groundnuts

      1. Import tariffs

         (Resolution 7.3.1.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 14/02/2019)

         Prof Meyer of BFAP proceeds with a presentation on the study of the Import Tariffs.

         After the discussion of the presentation, it's decided the following can be deemed as the industries suggestion or guideline regarding the current and possible future tariffs.

         • Blanched Peanuts 10% (Fixed rate)
         • Peanut butter between 21% to 25%
         • Roasted Peanuts 18%
         • Raw Peanuts 10% (Fixed rate)

         Feedback on the updated study of the Import Tariff report will be communicated to the forum members as soon as it is available. Grain SA offered to assist in compiling the tariff investigation application to ITAC. The chairperson confirms that the draft application will be circulated to members for comment. In light of the urgency of the matter, she also hightlights the application process as per the ITAC website and warns that it will take a few months to complete and set any new tariffs in place.

         Resolution:

         1. That feedback on the study of the Import Tariff report will be communicated to the forum members as soon as it is available.

            Chairperson
            Mr Keun

   4. GAP Audits

      (Resolution 7.4.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 14/02/2019)

      The Chairperson mentioned that the proposal for an alternative audit process has been completed and will be circulated to the forum members for comments and suggestions whereafter it will be sent to DAFF.

      Resolution:

      1. That the proposal for an alternative audit process will be circulated to the forum members.

         Chairperson
         Mr Keun

   5. Japanese delegation visit

      (Resolutions 7.5.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 14/02/2019)

      The Chairperson mentioned that during the previous meeting, a decision was taken to postpone the Japanese Delegation visit to 2020.

      A final decision will be made at the last meeting of 2019 or the first meeting in 2020.

      Resolutions:

      1. That the Japanese trip be postponed due to the drought in South Africa.

         Chairperson
         Mr Keun
         Members

      2. That a final decision regarding the Japanese visit by a South African delegation will be taken during the last meeting of 2019 or the first meeting in 2020.

         Chairperson
         Mr Keun
         Members

   6. Imports, Quality and Aflatoxin Control

      (Resolution 7.6.1 and 7.6.2 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 14/02/2019)

      The Chairperson mentioned that she followed up with the Department of Health with regards to the Imports, Quality and Aflatoxin Control.

      Feedback has been received, and due to unforeseen circumstances on the part of the Department no progress was made in this regard.

      The Chairperson suggested that despite the circumstances, the matter is of great importance for the industry and that it is necessary to still try and establish feedback from the Department of Health in this regard.

      The Chairperson, on request of members, will confirm the detail of all duly registred laboratories and forward information to members.

      Resolutions:

      1. That the Department of Health be requested to comment on possible procedures in respect of border post imports.

         Chairperson
         Mr Keun

      2. That as soon as feedback had been received from the Department of Health, the way to handle the matter will be concidered.

         Chairperson
         Mr Keun

      3. That the chairperson will confirm detail of all registered laboratories and forward information to members.

         Chairperson

   7. Visit by Japan Government

      (Resolution 7.10.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 30/10/2018)

      The Chairperson said that the presentations from the Japanese Government will be distributed to the forum members and will be attached to the minutes of the next forum meeting.

      Resolution:

      1. That the presentations from the Japan Government visit during August 2018 will be distributed to the forum members and will be attached to the minutes of the next forum meeting.

         Chairperson
         Mr Keun

8. Industry information and marketing aspects

   1. Crop and area estimates

      Ms Scheepers presented her report regarding the area planted, estimate, and fifth production forecast for summer crops 2019.

      The Chairperson thanked Ms Scheepers for the information presented.

   2. SAGIS

      Mr Hawkins presented the weekly and monthly information, included as Annexure C.

      Cognisance was taken of the updated information about the groundnut market tabled during the meeting.

      SAGIS requested that spesifically peanut butter importers are made aware that they should register with SAGIS and asked if members can refer SAGIS to parties that might possibly be unaware of the staturory measures.

      Resolution:

      1. That spesifically peanut butter importers are made aware that they should register with SAGIS and asked if members can refer SAGIS to parties that might possibly be unaware of the staturory measures.

         Chairperson
         SAGIS
         Mr Keun

9. Research

   1. Research Projects: 2019/2020 financial year

      (Resolution 9.1.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 14/02/2019)

      The Chairperson mentioned that Mr Keun requested that the matter defered to the next meeting.

      Mr Keun said by the time of the next meeting, he will have received progress reports on the projects mentioned and will be able to give more comprehensive feedback to the forum. Dr Briendenhann would also be in the position to give feedback on the projects for the new financial year that will be funded.

      Members indicated that possible areas for future research should include expansion of primary production into other regions and the affect of weather patterns on current cultivation areas.

      Resolutions:

      1. That Mr Keun will give a comprehensive overview of the Research Projects: 2019/2020 Financial Year at the next meeting.

         Chairperson
         Mr Keun

      2. That feedback will be given on the projects for funding for 2020/21, by Dr Briedenhann.

         Mr Keun
         Dr Briedenhann

      3. That possible areas for future research should include expansion of primary production into other regions and the affect of weather patterns on current cultivation areas.

         Chairperson
         Mr Keun

   2. Feedback on cultivar evaluation project

      (Resolution 9.2.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 14/02/2019)

      It was noted that with a difficult planting season, fewer localities were planted.

      The results of the Cultivar Evaluation Project would be presented at the ARC meeting scheduled for 13 September 2019.

      The Chairperson thanked the members for their involvement in the project.

      Resolution:

      1. That the results for the Cultivar Evaluation Project would be available during September 2019.

         Chairperson
         Mr Keun

   3. Breeding and seed propagation

      (Resolution 9.3.1 of the SA Groundnut Forum minutes of 14/02/2019)

      In the matter of closer cooperation and support to the ARC Grain Crop Institure (Potcefstroom) Mr De Kock mentioned that the Memorandum of Understanding would be discussed on the same day as the ARC meeting on 13 September 2019. Members will be kept up to date on the progress.

      The process of investigating a statutory Breeding and Technology Levy to be considered for groundnuts as supported by primary producers at the Grain SA Congress, and progress will be communicated to the forum members.

      Resolutions:

      1. That the Memorandum of Understanding will be discussed at the ARC meeting, and members will be kept up to date of the progress.

         Chairperson
         Mr Keun

      2. That the process of investigating a statutory Breeding and Technology Levy to be considered for groundnuts as supported by primary producers at the Grain SA Congress and progress will be communicated to the forum members.

         Chairperson
         Grain SA
         Mr Keun

10. Additional matters

    1. Articles

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

    2. Joint Food Safety an MRL Meeting

       The contents of the document included in the agenda as Annexure F were noted. The chairperson highlighted that no groundnut specific issues were on the agenda.

    3. Presentation – SGS SA

       The Chairperson mentioned that SGS SA would be afforded the opportunity to again make a presentation in future, should they wish to do so.

    4. Porous Alpha Trials

       The Chairperson mentioned that she had a meeting with members of Tottori Resource Recycling with regards to the Porous Alpha Trials.

       A follow-up meeting will be held during August to arrange and finalise trials of the product.

       More information with regards to the Porous Alpha Trials will be distributed to the members of the forum and also be submitted to the minutes of the next forum meeting.

       Resolution:

       1. That the Porous Alpha Trial document will be distributed to the members of the forum and also be submitted to the minutes of the next forum meeting.

          Chairperson
          Mr Keun

    5. PPECB: Aflatoxin Testing

       Concerns were raised that during the past two years the test results for Aflatoxin were inconsistent.

       A request was submitted to take a few samples and send it to different laboratories for testing to see if there is a diffirence or not.

       The Chairperson suggested that a proposal for financial funding be discussed with Dr Briendenhann and Mr Keun.

       Resolution:

       1. That a proposal for funding with regards to the testing of Aflatoxin levels at different laboratories, be discussed with Dr Briendenhann and Mr Keun.

          Chairperson
          Mr Keun

11. Meeting dates 2019

    The following meeting date was scheduled for 28 October 2019.

12. Adjournment

    There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 12h45.