SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL SEED ORGANIZATION SANSOR PHYTOSANITARY STANDING COMMITTEE

Transcription

1 SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL SEED ORGANIZATION SANSOR PHYTOSANITARY STANDING COMMITTEE MINUTES OF THE PHYTOSANITARY STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 3 APRIL 2013 AT 09:30 IN THE SANSOR BOARD ROOM PRESENT: SL Allen (chairman) R Kloppers (vice-chairman) C Kleingeld P Steyn P Steyn A Prinsloo N Moodley M Straathof IN ATTENDANCE: SJF Pienaar (secretary) A Labuschagne L Chetty APOLOGIES: N Kotzé L Raath J Terblanche J Klopper 1. OPENING AND WELCOME The Chairman opened the meeting and thanked everyone present for their time and effort to attend the meeting. It was also mentioned that the committee should think of appointing a new chair and vice-chairman after 28 February It was agreed that it is not necessary for either the chair or vice-chair to be a pathologist, but it was important that this committee should identify a pathologist in the trade who would be willing to assist in certain technical matters. This would officially be confirmed by SANSOR. The Committee agreed that future meetings should only commence at 10:30 to accommodate members travelling from far. 2. ATTENDANCE LIST, ANTITRUST AND APOLOGIES The attendance list was circulated for record purposes and attendance was listed as above. All members present consented to the antitrust policy by signing the attendance register, of which the policy was printed on the reverse side. 3. POINTS FOR DISCUSSION UNDER GENERAL AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA There being no further points for general, the Agenda was closed.

2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 24 AUGUST 2011 The minutes of the meeting were taken as being read and accepted as a true record of the meeting with the changing of Phito to Phyto in point 7 on Page 4 and Angola to Botswana in point 9 on page 5. Proposed: P Steyn Seconded: C Kleingeld 5. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES 5.1 Current export position to Brazil and Argentina Brazil It was agreed in the previous meeting that the new phytosanitary requirements were very difficult to comply with, especially concerning the export of beet. In the discussion with Ms Baxter from DAFF, she mentioned that if the problem could be technically justified, they could take it up with the Brazilian Authorities. SANSOR should forward the problem so that she could take it further. After correspondence with DAFF and possible costs involved, it was agreed that the export of beet seed at this stadium was not be worth any further input. Argentina The following crops still required PIP s: Erasgrostis curvula November 2008 (K Wolmarans) Digitaria eriantha February 2009 (K Wolmarans) Medicago sativa May 2009 (N Kotze) Although the matter was referred to the Forage Division Committee who agreed that Digitaria eriantha should be priority, no information was received, or dates set. During the Forage Division Committee meeting held on 14 February 2012, it was decided that this matter needed no further attention and if the need arises in future, it can be added to the agenda again. 5.2 Clavibacter Reported on the Forage Division Committee meeting on 11 February 2013: The research on Clavibacter was finalized. Dr Kotzé reported that all the work was done and that all the samples tested negative for the occurrence of Clavibacter. The results still needed to be published in a reputable scientific journal. The article ought to be completed by March Dr Kotzé would be requested to monitor the further development and actions by DAFF to rectify the matter in restoring the status of South Africa concerning Clavibacter. Action: N Kotzé

3 Maize Exports to USA Pest Risk Analysis to establish maize seed exports to the USA Mr Pienaar reported at the Agronomy Division Committee meeting held on 12 February 2013 that this matter was now finalized. The necessary actions were taken by PhytoSolutions. The PRA in respect of maize had been placed on the list and it was with the USDA. Dr Chetty reported that since no further feedback was received by the end of February 2013, it was ascertained that the PRA was actually only submitted to the USDA in October An appointment was made with the US Embassy. An immediate response would be ed to APHIS to determine that they did receive the necessary documentation. A request should be sent to Ms Baxter for feedback on any further progress from our side. Action: L Chetty 5.4 Pepino Mosaic Virus (PepMV) During the Horticulture Division Committee meeting in February 2011, it was decided that Pepino Mosaic Virus should be declared as a quarantine organism by the South African NPPO. Officially this destructive virus did not occur in South Africa, only one incidence was reported and it was never verified. It was already an import requirement for most other countries. Report back was received from Ms Baxter from DAFF on 18 January 2012 that a pest initiated risk analysis had been completed and that the phytosanitary import requirements had been amended accordingly. However, regarding accreditation of labs, for instance NAK Horticultural and STSI should do the necessary tests. SANSOR would need to apply to the DAFF Directorate of Inspection Services for consideration of the request. 5.5 Blank Phytos from DAFF The opportunity to buy blank Phyto forms from DAFF still existed. These forms could be completed by the Company for verification by DAFF before signing and affixing their official stamp. As no errors were allowed on Phytos - costs for such errors would be for the respective Company s account.

4 Export of Onion and Brocolli to Ecuador Ecuador sent a letter to Ms Baxter on 13 July 2010 indicating that Ecuadorian Companies were interested in exporting Broccoli seed (Brassica oleracea var.italica subvar botrytis), Onion seed (Allium cepa) and Welsh onion seed (Allium fistulosum) to South Africa. The latter requested South Africa to assist in supplying the following information, in order for them to conduct a PRA: PRA supporting information for onion (Allium cepa) and Welsh onion/ bunching onion (Allium fistulosum) which were already prepared in 2003 by Ms Allen. In response to Brazil s requirements for PRA s - no PIP information on Brocolli was available in the trade. The issue concerning PIP s would be debated under point 13 of the minutes. 6. EXPORTS TO BRAZIL A circular was sent to the seed industry on 23 July 2012 concerning new phytosanitary requirements to be enforced by Brazil s Normative Instruction (NI) from November It seemed that the new requirements and the application of the AD s were flexible and reasonable to enforce. As we were now in the grace period, the matter would be followed up with ISF for any further development. Action: S Allen 7. IMPORT PERMIT TRANSLATIONS A letter was sent to Ms Baxter at DAFF on 7 February 2012 on information received from the DAFF Inspectorate that they would no longer accept third party translations, but would do their own in future, as time was of the essence and with exports the time it took for their translations could compromise businesses. On the same day response was received from Ms Baxter informing SANSOR that the matter was brought to the attention of the highest levels within the Directorate: Inspection Services, as well as the offer that DPH would assist, should DIS experience any further problems. According to Committee members the problem seemed to be resolved as no further extensive delays occurred. 8. SEED PERMITS SWAZILAND A request was sent to Ms Baxter on the general statement from Swaziland for an import permit and Phyto certificate declaring that the consignment was free from all live insects and diseases. This type of general statement was not consistent with IPPC standards. Although no feedback from DAFF was received on the matter, Mr M Sachs of Sakata Seed discussed it with Swaziland, resulting in them changing their import permit stating that the consignment should be from South Africa with a clean Phyto, also ensuring that they understood that we could not state that South Africa was the country of Origin as most of the seed we sell were imported. As this work for the SA Trade it was given through to DAFF as a matter now resolved.

5 IMPORT / EXPORT RESTRICTIONS VIETNAM A letter was sent to Ms Baxter at DAFF on 9 October 2012 on the new Vietnam requirements where they would need PRA s before 1 January 2013 on tomatoes and peppers (also carrots and onions). We requested urgent advice on how to proceed to prevent SA Companies losing business opportunities. Feedback was received from Mr Victor Mudau from DAFF informing SANSOR that it was the relevant SA industry s responsibility to provide the commodity Pest Information Packages (PIP) for market access packages. DPH would evaluate and verify the information and would then officially provide it to the NPPO of Vietnam. A circular was sent to all members to enquire on their willingness to contribute towards a fund for paying Phyto Solutions for PRA s. The quotation from Phyto Solutions was R in respect of tomatoes and R in respect of peppers. This cost was too high for the trade. This matter, however, again emphasized the urgency to be able to obtain PIP s when required for future exports. See point 13 of the minutes. 10. PLANT HEALTH BILL A workshop was scheduled for 1 March 2013 for discussion on the draft Plant Health (Phytosanitary) Bill. It was attended by Dr R Kloppers, Ms S Allen and Mr A Prinsloo who reported as follows: DAFF completely revised the phytosanitary (plant health) legislation by drafting a new Bill, which when passed, would be known as the National Plant Health Act, The main reasons for the change were that the current Act was not aligned with the relevant international agreements. From SANSOR s standpoint the following were the most important points raised at the workshop: 1. Currently Regulated Pests was divided into two categories, namely Quarantine Pests and Regulated Non-quarantine Pests. In future there would be another category known as National Pests of Concern. This added to the obligation of land users and any person that has for the first time identified or recorded a regulated pest to be present in the Republic to immediately report it. 2. It should be noted that in terms of Section 24 of the new Bill, which covers the Vicarious Liability (liability of the employer) for offenses and penalties, that an employer would be deemed responsible for an offense (either an act or an omission), unless it could be proved that no conniving was involved and that all reasonable preventative steps were taken. Issuing instructions did not in itself mean that all reasonable steps were taken.

6 - 6 - DAFF indicated that feedback on the discussion points raised at the workshop would be circulated to the stakeholders, for any further inputs, prior to submission to cabinet. Action: S Allen, R Kloppers, A Prinsloo 11. THE SOUTH AFRICAN EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN DAFF s Directorate of Plant Health, Early Warnings Division had drafted and cirulated The South African Emergency Plant Pest Response Plan for comment by stakeholders. This plan outlines rapid response procedures relating to the detection, identification, and mitigation of an emergency plant pest incursion in South Africa. This was to prevent the establishment and spread of such plant pest population; to provide effective and timely communication between local, national and international government agencies, academia, and plant industry professionals when response actions are needed; and to protect and maintain food production and business continuity at unaffected areas during a plant pest emergency. The Committee believed that this document was a valuable tool to facilitate an effective response to such an emergency, provided that funds were available and accessible at short notice, since quick action was clearly essential. 12. EXPORT OF SOYA BEANS TO CHINA This matter was discussed at the Agronomy Division Committee meeting and with the various stakeholders, it was decided that there was no interest from the Seed Trade to export Soya bean to China. SANSOR did inform DAFF accordingly. 13. PEST INFORMATION PACKAGES It was agreed that PIP s, when becoming a problem, should be a Trade responsibility, which should result in Trade participation, and not be left to the specific Companies dealing with a specific country. It should be seen as the opening of markets in which the whole Trade would later benefit from. Although the Act clearly identifies the NPPOZA as being responsible for conducting Pest Risk Analyses (PRAs), the various trade organisations were responsible for submitting the Pest Information Packages (PIPs) which form the basis of the analyses. It seemed that DAFF did not have the resources to compile PIPs. The new National Plant Health Act, 2012 itself does not provide details as to who would be responsible for PIPs as these were likely to be spelled out in the regulations. Since the requirement for PRAs had grown steadily over the last ten years or so, SANSOR would have to consider a mechanism to provide for the financing of PRAs (specifically the PIP aspect) since few companies had the will or the capacity to perform this function in-house. The requirement for PRAs came from both new trading partners and from existing ones that decide for whatever reason to re-assess the risk associated with a particular crop. Although the number of PRAs required each year was likely to vary, it was possible to estimate an average number (and cost per PIP) in order to make the necessary financial provision for this function. A survey conducted in the last year, canvassing the opinions of SANSOR members with regard to this issue indicated that the majority of companies recognise the need for such funding, although opinions vary as to how this should be achieved.

7 - 7 - After some in-depth discussions the Committee decided the following: That PIP s would always be the mandate of the NPPO and that the Seed Trade should only assist in emergencies or when trade is affected. DTI should be contacted regarding this matter as it concerns exports. Mr Jac Duif, previously from Ball Staathof and Marinda Visser from GSA should be contacted for possible contacts at the DTI and a meeting should be scheduled as soon as possible. This matter should also be referred to the SANSOR Management Committee for two possible emergency solutions: 1. That SANSOR make provision for a special fund for each Division, the method of financing could be the same as for AfriCompliance. 2. That the SANSOR budget make the necessary funds available annually, until the matter was resolved concerning PIP s, say R These funds could be equally divided between the three Divisions. 3. That each Division should determine which crops need priority in the next year. 4. That all other avenues that could possibly assist in this matter should be explored. 5. That Ms Baxter be contacted for a summary on what has been done to date. Action: L Chetty; S Allen 14. GENERAL No further points were discussed. 15. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Meetings were usually scheduled as necessary after consultation with the Chairman and committee members. The committee, however, decided that we should schedule a meeting for 3 April 2014, during which we would also invite the relevant people from DAFF to attend the last portion of the meeting, not only for a general discussion on Phyto issues, but also to further the relationship between Trade and Government. 16. CLOSURE There being no further points for discussion, the Chairman thanked all present for their input. The meeting was adjourned at 12: CHAIRMAN DATE SECRETARY DATE