21 However, in August 2024 the National Chamber of Milling sued the Minister, Grain SA and SAGRA about the publication. The court case is still ongoing. Grain SA assures members that the case is being handled properly to secure fair grading standards for producers. GRADING REGULATIONS FOR CANOLA After a long consultation with industry role-players, agreement was reached to change the grading regulations for canola. Some of the changes proposed by other role-players would not have been to the benefit of producers and Grain SA was able to oppose them successfully. These regulations should come into effect in the 2026/2027 marketing season. DIESEL REBATE AUDITS AND INTERPRETATION In addition to negotiations and discussions on a new diesel rebate system, several of our members were assisted with regard to the handling of audits by SARS. There were various challenges regarding the interpretation of legislation in the light of electronic logbook systems and the views of SARS on logbook requirements to qualify for the rebate. SARS also published the new diesel rebate system on 18 March 2022. However, the implementation date still has to be announced. Grain SA and AgriSA are uncomfortable with quite a number of the changes and are taking it up with SARS and the Treasury. Various meetings in this regard were held with SARS and the Treasury during the reporting period, and formal letters were submitted to the Treasury. Grain SA was also requested to assist SARS with the development of their automatic diesel logbook system. DIESEL AUTOMATISATION WORKING GROUP Grain SA is currently working with the South African Revenue Service (SARS), grain producers and various private technology service providers in the diesel industry on a project to automatise the diesel logbook systems. This project is aimed at replacing the current processes and improving them by developing a more effective digital system. The Working group involved in this initiative comprises volunteers and is not a closed group – any interested parties are welcome to become involved. This collaboration is an important step in the direction of administrative relief and greater efficiency for producers who are entitled to the diesel rebate. A pilot project with several producers is planned to run between October and December 2025. The Working group aims to have a feasible and tested system by March 2026 that SARS can then implement. PEST CONTROL OPERATOR (PCO) COURSE In 2023, then Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) published new regulations that defined two classes of substances, namely ‘restricted agriculture remedies’ and ‘concerning remedies’. These remedies are toxic and may be purchased, mixed and used only by registered PCOs. The classification is aimed at improving safety and responsibility in the handling of agrochemicals. After tragic deaths in 2024 due to the illegal acquisition, storage and use of restricted agriculture remedies, the DALRRD, together with the Department of Health, commenced with intensive inspections of the agriculture remedies supply chain. This led to the strict implementation of the PCO regulations. Grain SA joined hands with Potatoes SA (PSA) to facilitate the process for producers to become an accredited PCO. With the permission of the Registrar of Act 36 the two organisations managed to develop an accredited training programme with the assistance of a chemical expert. This programme is available exclusively to members of Grain SA and/or PSA. The course was introduced to members on 14 August in an online event. The Registrar of Act 36 attended the session and addressed producers and was available to answer questions. Registration for the course and the full training programme to obtain a PCO certificate are 100% online. Producers can therefore complete the course in their own time and at their own pace. Grain SA also compiled a step-by-step guide explaining how registration for the training programme works and what the Department of Agriculture (DoA) further expects from producers. This guide can be obtained by scanning the QR code or following this link: https://shorturl.at/krDmu. GRAIN INTELLIGENCE, ECONOMICS AND MEMBER SERVICES
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