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Grain SA Congress around the corner
t
he Grain SA Congress for 2017 will be presented at NAMPO
Park, Bothaville, on 8 and 9 March. The theme for Congress
is ‘Grain mapping the future’.
The opportunity will be used to consult with South African
grain producers regarding challenges in the grain and oil-
seeds industry.
Round table discussions with hi-tech support will assist the process
to consult, liaise and communicate with all delegates.
Who can vote at Congress?
Only members whose membership fees and industry levy are
paid up by the end of February this year, qualify as a voting delegate
to Congress.
When must membership fees be paid-up?
Membership fees and the commodity levy are paid annually from
1 March to the end of February, when the financial year for
membership fees and levies ends. The status of membership is
determined by the payments received until the end of February
that precedes Congress.
No payments for membership fees will be accepted on the day of
registration for Congress or during the Congress.
The current membership fee for commercial members is R1 000
plus VAT as well as the commodity levy. The membership fee for
study group members is R30 per annum.
It will be recommended to Congress 2017, that the constitution
be amended to provide for only two categories of membership,
i.e. commercial members who produce at least 100 tons of grain
for marketing and study group members who produce less than
100 tons of grain.
Enquiries regarding the status of membership can be addressed
to Mss Patricia Mahlatsi or Elray Stuurman at 086 004 7246.
How are delegates to Congress elected?
The Congress is constituted by 372 delegates from 31 regions.
The Constitution makes provision for representation on the basis
of paid levies per region for commercial regions. The number of
delegates per region are amended annually by the calculation of the
three year sliding average of levy payments per region.
After consultation with the representatives of the Farmer Develop-
ment Working Group on 28 September last year, it was agreed to
that the delegation to Congress from the four developing regions,
be calculated by taking into account the number of paid-up 250 Ton
Club members from these regions.
At the regional meetings before Congress, delegates from the
regions will be nominated to attend Congress.
Can I attend the regional meetings before
Congress?
All grain producers are welcome to attend the regional meetings
and ask questions to Grain SA staff and office bearers. Only paid-
up commercial or study group members may vote at regional
meetings. Notice of regional meetings before Congress will be sent
out via the Grain SA and regional offices.
Enquiries
Contact Nico Vermaak for any enquiries at 086 0047 246.
NICO VERMAAK,
manager: Corporate Services, Grain SA
ALZENA GOMES,
public relations officer: Grain SA
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