QUALITY ASSURANCE REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA.

Transcription

1 QUALITY ASSURANCE REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA. MR. BILLY MAKHAFOLA, MANAGER: DIVISION AGRONOMY AND VEGETABLES, DIRECTORATE FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES

2 THE CONTENT OF THE PRESENTATION About the APS Act What is a national/import quality regulation Scope of Quality Agricultural product regulations Objectives of the Regulations Quality Regulations on Agricultural Product in South Africa Processed Products Regulations Liquor Products Process of developing regulations Cross-referenced Regulations Application of the Regulations Challenges that confront South Africa Conclusion

3 ABOUT THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT STANDARD ACT, (ACT NO. 119 OF 1990) Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act no. 119 of 1990), came into force on the 1 st September Regulates the sale (local/import) and export of specific agricultural products by requiring that agricultural products: Be graded or classed according to standardized, objective, measurable minimum quality standards Be marked or labelled accordingly Packed in a certain manner. The Act was amended in 1998 in order to address: Constitutional changes (1996) E.g. Bill of rights. International changes, e.g. ISO and Codex Alimentarius Commission. Practical needs which arose at the time, e.g. management control system (proposed Organic regulations, Food Safety standards)

4 WHAT IS A NATIONAL/IMPORT QUALITY REGULATION Grading tool that provide: Uniform definitions for determining levels of quality. Common language for trading Classification of numerous characteristics A means through which official inspection can be conducted.

5 SCOPE OF QUALITY AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT REGULATIONS Standardization of quality norms for agricultural and related products by establishing the criteria. These criteria may include the quality, packaging, marking and labeling as well as the chemical composition and microbiological contaminants of the products. These norms are validated by publication in the Government Gazette under the Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act No. 119 of 1990). The norms are based on the specific needs of the South African market and are usually harmonized with international standards.

6 OBJECTIVE OF THE REGULATIONS To provide an objective approach towards establishing effective and practical quality norms. Through product classification and/or grading, consumer confidence is encouraged. The trade is able to purchase specified quality products over time and distance. Allow for greater market transparency. Provision of a consistent quality when purchasing a specific grade or class. Competition on an equal footing with imported products.

7 QUALITY REGULATIONS ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS IN SOUTH AFRICA There are currently 36 active national/import regulations in South Africa. 10 grain regulations (Agronomy) 2 Deciduous fruit regulations 5 Animal product regulations 14 Processed product regulations 5 Vegetable regulations

8 FRESH PRODUCE NATIONAL/IMPORT REGULATIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA. Apples Pears Potatoes Onions and shallots Tomatoes Garlic All other vegetable types

9 GRAINS REGULATIONS Canola Maize Maize products Wheat Wheat products Sunflower Groundnuts Soya beans Sorghum Dry Beans

10 ANIMAL PRODUCTS REGULATIONS Dairy and imitation dairy products Eggs Ice cream Meat Mohair Poultry meat

11 PROCESSED PRODUCTS REGULATIONS Canned Fruit, Mushroom, pasta and vegetables Fruit Juices Frozen Fruits and Vegetables Honey Dehydrated vegetables Jam, Jelly and Marmalade Dried Fruits Mayonnaise and Salad dressings Fats spreads Vinegar Rooibos Tea

12 LIQUOR PRODUCTS Liquor Products Act, 1989 (Act no. 60 of 1989) which: Provides control over the sale and production of certain alcoholic products. Regulates composition and properties of such products. Regulate certain particulars in connection with the alcoholic products, by establishing schemes (Wine and Spirit Board). Provides control over import and export of alcoholic products

13 REGULATED LIQUOR PRODUCTS Wine An alcoholic fruit beverages A spirit A grape based liquor A spirit based liquor A specially authorized liquor

14 IMPORT CONDITIONS ON LIQUOR IMPORT There is an Import Manual for participants in the import Trade, and it contains: Import Certificate release of the consignment from custom Can only be applied for once in a life-time of a product. Certificate of removal Obtained from Wine inspector Applies to bottled products and for every consignment Permission for blending of imported liquor An imported bulk product is blended with either the South African or overseas product. Permission to sell liquor imported in bulk after bottling. Applies to an importer who want to sell the liquor product after blending and bottling

15 PROCESS OF DEVELOPING REGULATIONS Need Identification Process of Drafting National consultation - Canvass comments Alignment of the regulation with international standards (CCFFV). WTO TBT notification Publication of the regulation in the Government Gazette Regulation

16 HOW IS THE REGULATION STRUCTURED Product specific standards Size Defects such as blemishes (Cosmetic defects) Cultivars Internal qualities Requirements Marking Packing Containers Methods of determination on matters such as: Sampling Inspection methods

17 REGULATIONS THAT ARE CROSS-REFERENCED Trade metrology Act, 1977 (Act No.77 of 1977) Regulates the net weight of the product Marking requirements Agricultural Pest Act, 1983 (Act no. 36 of 1983) Regulates plant health (PhytoSanitary) Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants, 1972 (Act, 54 of 1972). In the main food safety: Contaminants Mycotoxins Microbial contamination Chemical residues Fertilizer, Farm feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 1947 (Act no. 36 of 1947) Registration of agro-chemicals and observance of the set MRL.

18 APPLICATION OF THE REGULATION The following are the implementing agencies: DAFF through the Directorate Agricultural Product Inspection Services Inspection of all the products Border and inland (trade) inspection Auditing of assignees Product Control of South Africa (PROKON) Potato inspection on all the national fresh produce markets including the retail markets South African Meat Industry Company (SAMIC) Inspection on meat carcasses intended for local sale

19 CHALLENGES THAT CONFRONTS SOUTH AFRICA Role clarification auditing of APIS inspection activities. Relaxed control of products that are sold locally APIS teething stage. Lack of integrated enforcement of regulation Multiple role players (fragmentation) Lack of regulations on certain products Quality as a prerequisite for market access against the imperative of rural development. Lack of integrated approach by line directorates in addressing the challenge of compliance with quality regulations. Lack of official notification mechanism non-conformity Some regulations are incompatible with the objective of rural a development and food security.

20 CONCLUSION Quality regulations needs to evolve traceability and fully integrate aspects of food safety. Integrated legislative framework and enforcement. Facilitation of trade by applying the regulations in a flexible beneficial manner. Use the quality standards as a inducement of rural development. Use grading regulations to promote food security. Promote each other s grading regulations so that trade can take place smoothly between countries

21 Contact details: Mr.B.M. Makhafola Private Bag x343 PRETORIA address: Tel. no. (012) Fax no. (012) THANK YOU,