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
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
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 1st September 1991.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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
FRESH PRODUCE NATIONAL/IMPORT REGULATIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA.
• Apples
• Pears
• Potatoes
• Onions and shallots
• Tomatoes
• Garlic
• All other vegetable types
GRAINS REGULATIONS
• Canola
• Maize
• Maize products
• Wheat
• Wheat products
• Sunflower
• Groundnuts
• Soya beans
• Sorghum
• Dry Beans
ANIMAL PRODUCTS REGULATIONS
• Dairy and imitation dairy products
• Eggs
• Ice cream
• Meat
• Mohair
• Poultry meat
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
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
REGULATED LIQUOR PRODUCTS
• Wine
• An alcoholic fruit beverages
• A spirit
• A grape based liquor
• A spirit based liquor
• A specially authorized liquor
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
Contact details:
Mr.B.M. Makhafola
Private Bag x343
PRETORIA
0001
Email address: [email protected]
Tel. no. (012) 319 6023
Fax no. (012) 319 6055
THANK YOU,