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CHAPTER 4
• Technical services
The involvement of the Oilseeds Board in the provision of technical services
developed over more than 40 years. This technical services function involved
the application of quality standards, delivery of analytical services and training
of graders.
Role-players regarded the continuation of the technical services function as
essential. Various alternatives were investigated and it was decided to transfer
the function to the PPECB. The Minister of Agriculture approved the transfer from
1 September 1997.
• Liquidation committee of the Oilseeds Board
A liquidation committee handled the arrangements for the completion of the
outstanding matters of the board after 30 September 1997. Mr Gert Pretorius,
Chairperson of NOPO and the Vice-chairperson of the Oilseeds Board at the
time, served on the liquidation committee.
Discussions on co-operation between NOPO and NAMPO
As far back as March 1997 discussions between NAMPO and NOPO were held at
administrative as well as policy level. The aim of these discussions was to develop
models for future co-operation. From the beginning it was clear that NAMPO and
NOPO had a lot in common, as a shared vision existed to promote the economic
living space of maize and oilseeds producers.
The NOPO Executive approved recommendations for co-operation with NAMPO
on 14 October 1997. The Chairpersons of NAMPO and NOPO, Gert Pretorius (NOPO)
and Japie Grobler (NAMPO), then announced the official co-operation between
the two organisations by way of a media release on 24 November 1997. The me-
dia statement specifically mentioned that NOPO and NAMPO were still managed
separately and that oilseeds and maize producers had to contribute through
membership fees to funding the structures.
NOPO member recruitment 1997
In February 1997 the NOPO Congress approved the principle that the organisation
had to be funded through a voluntary contribution at the first point of trade in fu-
ture. The NOPO Congress would annually approve a business plan and budget for
services to oilseeds producers. On 14 October 1997 the NOPO Executive approved
proposals for collecting a voluntary contribution as membership fees. The collec-
tion method made provision for the grain silo industry and private buyers to handle
NOPO’s Management Committee by 1997 (from the left): Messrs Nico Vermaak, Naas
Bellingan, Gert Pretorius, Lourie Bosman and Japie Middel.