World Grain - November 2009 - 60

ORGANIZATION PROFILE: SUPPORTING SOUTH AFRICAN MILLERS

search in the industry. The organization also shares information with the government and other organizations that support the milling industry to "enhance the best market decisions for our value chain." The Chamber of Milling has also
organized an advertising campaign for maize meal produced
by its members.
 International trade issues and tariffs. The Chamber of Milling has taken a number of steps in this area, including: positioning the industry through research, communication and negotiations with regard to all multilateral aspects of the World Trade
Organization; enlarging South Africa's proportion in food aid;
and helping position the industry through negotiations and government assistance with regard to all free trade agreements.
 Serving as a media liaison. In its role as "industry spokesperson," the Chamber of Milling seeks to educate journalists
and the general public regarding industry matters and promote
the image of the industry through the media. It also tries to be
proactive in disseminating information regarding economic
factors that affect the industry such as interest rate changes,
fuel prices, raw material prices, etc.
 Technical matters relating to raw materials. In this very
important area, the Chamber of Milling works to facilitate the
improvement of the quality of raw materials and establish the
concept of end-user requirements within the wheat and maize

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value chains. Evaluation and improvement of grading regulations with regard to wheat and maize is also part of the organization's agenda.
 Technical matters relating to food safety. Communicating and promoting the view of the milling industry with
regard to genetically modified organisms has become an increasingly important part of the group's work along with improving wheat and maize product regulations.
 Good corporate governance. Within this area, the organization attempts to provide efficient use of grain processing sector resources via synergies and cooperation agreements with related industries. The Chamber of Milling said
it strives to upgrade staff skills in providing the best possible
service needed in executing the focus area and to maintain
the highest degree of confidentiality regarding sensitive
member information.
Although listed as a "medium" priority, training is also an
area that the organization emphasizes. The Chamber of Milling is administering a Grain Milling Federation correspondence course for technical wheat and maize millers in which
192 students are currently enrolled, according to de Villiers.
POSITION ON GM MAIZE
As in many parts of the world, South Africa is dealing with
the issue of growing GM crops. The Chamber of Milling notes
that 4.5 million hectares of GM maize have been grown in
South Africa over the past nine years without any substantiated incidence of damage to human or animal health, or to the
environment.
"This is evidence of a biosafety framework that helps to
ensure assessment of safety of GM products prior to approval
for commercial release, and compliance by biotech stakeholders with regulations," the Chamber of Milling said.
Regarding the GM issue, de Villiers said the Chamber of
Milling:
 encourages identity preservation within the grain supply chain to enable clear labeling of its products to the consumer market;
 supports research into the safe use of biotechnology and
the responsible use of GM products with due concern for the
consumer's health and environmental well being; and
 influences the various government departments and
decision-makers concerned in efficiently and sensibly regulating the safe development of biotechnology in the South
African society.
"The South African milling industry supports the principle of
consumer choice and will thus service a consumer-led market
for grain and grain products," de Villiers said. "To this end, it
supports the safe and responsible application of biotechnology
in providing nutritious, quality staple foods at the best possible
price in the interest of household food security."
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