The National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) received an amended request from the Maize and the Wheat Forums, on behalf of directly affected groups in the grain industry, for the introduction and promulgation of statutory measures, namely registration and the keeping of information and submitting monthly returns in respect of maize products, wheaten products and animal feeds.

The proposal entails that the South African Grain Information Service (SAGIS) will be responsible for the registration, as well as the collection, dissemination and distribution of the information associated with the statutory measures that are requested. SAGIS has been established as an objective and reliable provider of information, both nationally and internationally.

The two Forums agreed to propose that all manufacturers, importers and exporters of animal feed, maize products and wheaten products shall register with SAGIS, and keep complete records for each calendar month in respect of animal feed, maize products and wheaten products manufactured, imported or exported for commercial purposes. Furthermore, that the same role players mentioned, should within 10 working days from the end of each calendar month, submit to SAGIS an accurate prescribed return in respect of animal feed, maize products and wheaten products manufactured, imported or exported. Every seller and exporter of animal feed should also within 10 working days from the end of each calendar month submit to SAGIS an additional accurate prescribed return in respect of animal feed raw materials added to or used in the production or manufacturing of animal feed. The same apply to any person who acts in the capacity of the role players mentioned above. (The registration of sellers and the rendering of information on animal feed, maize products and wheaten products sold are excluded from the amended application).

“Animal feed” means the following categories of feed intended for consumption by animals, including any other feed which contains raw materials: Aquaculture Feed, Beef Feed, Breeder Feed, Broiler Feed, Dairy Feed, Dog Food, Horse Feed, Layer Feed, Maize-free Feed, Ostrich Feed, Other Feed, Pig Feed, and Sheep Feed.

Promoting market access for South African agriculture

“Raw materials” means the raw materials listed in the Annexure to this Schedule, when used in the production or manufacture of animal feed.
“Maize product” means the following products derived from maize: Maize Chop, Maize Rice, Maize Grits, Samp, Sifted Maize Meal, Special Maize Meal, Super Maize Meal, Unsifted Maize Meal, and other Maize Products that are intended for human consumption.

“Wheaten product” means the following products derived from wheat: Brown Pan Baked Bread (400g/600g/700g/other), White Pan Baked Bread (400g/600g/700g/other), Whole Wheat Pan Baked Bread (400g/600g/700g/other), other Pan Baked Bread, Brown Bread Flour, White Bread Flour, other Bread Flour, Self-Raising Flour, Bran, Cake Flour and Meal.

There is currently no statutory measure regarding the registration of manufacturers, importers and exporters of animal feed, animal feed raw materials, maize products and wheaten products, nor any statutory measure to compel the keeping of records and submission of returns in respect of such products. The information to be obtained in terms of the statutory measures is deemed to be essential for the market to operate effectively.

Information on the manufacturing, import and export of maize products, wheaten products and animal feed is crucial for the effective operation of the maize and wheat markets and for market participants to be able to plan properly. The supply of generic market information to all role players, on a continuous basis, is therefore essential. The maintenance of macro industry information is regarded as critical for strategic planning by the maize and wheat industries, as well as for individual directly affected groups.

The statutory measures, if approved by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, will come into operation on the date of promulgation for a period of four years.
Directly affected groups in the grain industry are kindly requested to submit any comments regarding the proposed statutory measures to the NAMC in writing (fax 012 341 1811/ 012 341 1911 or e-mail to lizettem@namc.co.za) before or on 6 June 2014, to enable the Council to formulate its recommendation to the Minister in this regard.