A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

THE

GRAIN AND OILSEED INDUSTRY

OF SOUTH AFRICA – A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

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The primary focus of this management committee meeting was to finalise arrange-

ments for the Congress that would take place in the Alex Holm Hall of the ARC’s Grain

Crops Institute in Potchefstroom on 16 February 1995.

First Congress: 1995

The first task of the Congress was to approve the charter for NOPO as national

industry organisation. Congress could then be constituted and continue with its

activities and decision-making. In terms of the charter the Executive comprised

15 members, namely the Chairperson, Vice-chairperson and 13 members, who

were elected on a regional basis with respect to production.

In addition to the discussion of joint industry affairs, the request was made that

breakaway groups be offered for soybeans, sunflower and groundnuts to handle

industry-specific matters at the Congress. This became customary at subsequent

NOPO Congresses.

A positive point was that 146 out of 150 delegates registered for the Congress. This

clearly indicated that adequate support for NOPO as organisation existed.

Mr Attie Swart, Chief Director Marketing of the National Department of Agriculture,

delivered the opening address at the Congress.

Discussion points

Among other things the Congress decided that the marketing schemes for soybeans,

sunflower and groundnuts had to be amended. It was decided that for sunflower and

soybeans a surplus removal scheme would be administered by the Oilseeds Board

from the 1996/1997 season. For groundnuts it was decided that a surplus removal

system (and voluntary pools) with a single-channel export system should be

managed by the board.