- Follow us:
- Our Commodities:
-
Information, updates and releases pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa, impacting on Grain SA members will be published below as and when it becomes available.
Grain SA members yesterday received communication on COVID-19 Permits and Updates. All active Grain SA members have received the necessary documentation, included the Confirmation of Employment in the Agricultural Sector-permit issued to farmers and farm workers required to travel to and from work and to transport agricultural supplies, produce etc.
Members can generate a permit to download or print from the following link: https://covid19cert.grainsa.co.za/
Grain SA members also received Certificate of Membership as proof of being a bona fide farmer and an active member of the organisation. This has been made available as an extra measure if proof of membership is required in addition to the permits. Furthermore, members can utilise their Grain SA electronic membership card (JOYN) indicating that they are part of an essential service.
Organised agriculture, through the Covid-19 Task Team, consulted with the Minister of Agriculture and developed permits and guidelines in order to assist producers together with the food value chain. Agriculture is seen as an essential service and must be able to produce in the lockdown period.
Grain SA developed a system to assist all our members in terms of the production process. The following forms part of Grain SA’s planning:
Please be aware of fake news circulating on social media. Grain SA will only distribute verified information through our official channels. We urge all our members to be responsible and to make sure that all protocols regarding hygiene, social distancing and prevention is still adhered to. This is a serious health risk for the whole country and we must act responsibly. The regulations as set out by government is still in place and must be adhered to in order to prevent the spreading of the COVID-19 virus. All travel and movement must still be kept to a minimum, and Grain SA therefore urge producers to plan for logistics and individual requirements to assist in minimising trips and exposure where possible.
The COVID-19 outbreak is an unpreceded occurrence, and the global pandemic has, in a short space of time, impacted organisations in countless ways. We’re living through a year that is uncharted, and things around us are changing extremely fast.
Following the stringent measures implemented by the South African Presidency, which included prohibiting gatherings om more than 100 people, Grain SA has been monitoring the developments of COVID-19 and under the guidance and recommendations of the World Health Organization, the Presidency of South Africa and the Department of Health, have made the difficult decision to postpone the 2020 NAMPO Harvest Day which was scheduled to take place from 12-15 May 2020 at NAMPO Park, just outside Bothaville.
The 2020 NAMPO Harvest Day will be postponed to 11-14 August 2020, given that Government policies and guidelines permit the postponed date. Grain SA will evaluate and review the date by the end of June 2020 if necessitated by governmental regulations.
Grain SA is cognisant of the queries surrounding the NAMPO Harvest Day, scheduled from 12-15 May 2020 outside Bothaville. Grain SA, will, after consultation with all relevant parties issue a statement regarding the 2020 NAMPO Harvest Day.
The impact of the measures and decisions by President Ramaphosa will determine whether NAMPO 2020 will continue on the scheduled date or postponed to a later date. Further information will be made available as soon as possible and we will be in direct communication with exhibitors, partners, the agricultural sector and the larger public.
Ends