Grain SA said in a statement that the minister’s announcement followed years of persistent engagement by the organisation and other stakeholders across the grain industry who had raised serious concerns about the lack of transparency, stakeholder consultation, and cost implications associated with Leaf Services’ proposed role in grading inspections.
Dr Tobias Doyer, CEO of Grain SA, said in the statement: “We commend the minister and the Department of Agriculture (the department) for the significant progress made towards a regulatory environment that is principled, transparent, and accountable. These strides reflect a growing commitment to regulatory stewardship that aligns with global best practices.”
Grain SA had since 2016, vigorously opposed the engagement of Leaf Services’ custodianship over the grain grading system, citing excessive costs to producers. It was estimated that it cost the industry tens of millions of rands annually, without sufficient consultation or methodological justification.
Formal objections were submitted, legal advice pursued, and a direct appeal was made to the department in 2024 to revoke the appointment of Leaf Services.
Call for regulation
The grain industry supported regulation that was coherent and cost-effective, enabling, and respectful of the rights and responsibilities of both juristic and private actors across the food value chain.
But, as Doyer explained: “We believe that regulation, when properly applied, is not merely a safeguard, but a critical enabler of inclusive economic participation, innovation, and agricultural competitiveness.”
“Established in 2015 and based in Pretoria, Leaf Services provided cost effective and innovative inspection, grading, and sampling for official quality assurance services to businesses across South Africa that are producing a variety of grains, oilseeds, and grain products intended for sale,” according to the Leaf Services website.
The website stated that it was “an assignee of the department, appointed in terms of Section 2(3) (a) of the Agricultural Product Standards Act (APS Act)), 119 of 1990. As an assignee of the department, Leaf Services was responsible for the enforcement of Sections 3(1) (a) and (b), 3(1A), 4(A)(1)(a), 7 and 8 of the APS Act.
