SACOTA-IGTC-DALRRD Workshop: 11 & 12 May 2023

SACOTA – International Grain Trade Coalition – DALRRD
Production, Biosecurity and Natural Resources Management
11–16 May 2023

During the past three years, South Africa has experienced favourable production conditions for grains and oilseeds. After the drought of 2017 there was a period of stock rebuilding, but since April 2021 the industry has resumed maize exports. Soybean exports were added last season. Deep-sea exports have continued non-stop at maximum capacity while across-border exports into Africa are also growing. The rate of exports is likely to continue at least until early 2024. To continue growing the export market, the opening of new destinations for South African maize and oilseeds is a must. This, however, may be quite challenging given the various phytosanitary requirements enforced by each importing country.

For this reason, SACOTA belongs to the International Grain Trade Coalition (IGTC). The IGTC is a not-for-profit global organisation. Its main objective is to provide technical evaluations of current and future practices and policies and to determine their impact on the food distribution chain as it relates to safety, security and affordability. The IGTC plays a prominent global role in contributing to and influencing policy decisions regarding the implementation of measures and standards, specifically concerning Plant Health Risk Management. This includes aspects concerning the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety as well as several others such as maximum residue levels (MRLs), etc.

Every country or industry striving to either promote exports and/or ensure food security through safe imports, has the responsibility to stay informed of the latest global developments as they concerns plant health and biosafety issues. For this reason, SACOTA invited representatives from the IGTC, officials from DALRRD, multi-national trading members and industry guests to participate in a workshop and discussions on production, biosecurity and natural resources management.

The workshop was held at the Grain Building, Pretoria on 11 and 12 May 2023, during which DALRRD and DFFE presented its policies, followed by IGTC input on international developments and questions/comments by members and industry representatives. The programme also included a session on GAFTA – The role of superintendents in international trade. In this regard, see the detailed programme and presentations. This was followed by discussions with agricultural representatives from embassies and a visit to the JSE and to NAMPO. Relationships between government and industry were strengthened. The challenge is to continuously align South African policies with international developments, while at the same time protecting the interest of the local industries and consumers.