GMO MAIZE IMPORTS

Grain SA noted media reports that permits for US GMO maize imports were issued.

Grain SA remains of the position that the imports do not promote local producers' competitiveness if the same GMO events are not available to local producers as well. Such exceptions should only be made at times when food security is at risk. Excessive imports of maize will put prices under further pressure which is very detrimental to the profitability of grain producers.

This is not good news for grain farmers following such a dry and difficult season. Currently there is no mechanism to report import and export contracts. This is totally one-sided and only the traders have access to this information and not the producers. This causes great uncertainty and allow market players to force the market in a particular direction. Grain SA feels strongly that a free market system can only function optimally if the market information is available to all role players all the time. The declaration of import and export contracts, as well as changes to it, remains crucial to the market.

Ends

Issued by:
Grain SA Communications

Further enquiries:
Jannie de Villiers, CEO, Grain SA
086 004 7246 | pretoria@grainsa.co.za