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7 May 2007
"For some time now we have been following a new approach in addressing
problems in the grain industry by getting all role players involved. It is in
keeping with this approach that Grain South Africa wishes to establish a
stronger partnership with the Department of Agriculture to address constraints
in the grain industry," said Mr Neels Ferreira, Chairman of Grain South Africa.
This follows a meeting between Grain South Africa and senior management of the
Department of Agriculture (DoA) at Nampo Park near Bothaville on Friday, 4 May
2007.
The Director-General of the DoA, Mr Masiphula Mbongwa emphasised the need to
improve working relationships and communications. It is specifically with
regard to the revision of legislation such as Act 36 of 1947 and the
development of new policy on agricultural trade and tariffs that Grain South
Africa can assist in developing legislation that is in line with changed
circumstances.
The General Manager of Grain South Africa, Dr John Purchase, identified the
major constraints hampering growth in the grain industry. Grain South Africa
and the DoA will look into establishing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in
order to bring greater urgency into effectively addressing the constraining
problems. Also in terms of establishing and training emerging commercial grain
producers, Grain South Africa and the DoA will explore ways of complementing
each institution's substantial efforts.
The current engagement by the DoA is on-going and this coming Wednesday, the
DoA will meet with the agri-exporters of South Africa as well as with the
agribusiness Kaap Agri.
Enquiries:
Mr Steve Galane
Department of Agriculture
Tel: 012 319 7312
Cell: 083 635 7346
E-mail: DAIS@nda.agric.za
Dr John Purchase
Grain South Africa
Tel: 056 515 2145
Cell: 082 441 2308
E-mail: john@grainsa.co.za
Issued by: Department of Agriculture
7 May 2007
