Call to keep statutory measures on milk

The Milk Producers’ Organisation (MPO) has requested the minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs to maintain statutory measures (registration of milk producers and the submission of records and returns) in the milk industry. T he current statutory measures will lapse on 1 November 2007. MPO requested the minister’s approval for the continuation of these statutory measures for a new period of four years, until 1 2011. A s the statutory measures requested by MPO, a directly affected group in the milk industry, are consistent with the objectives of the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act, on 31 July the minister requested the National Marketing Council (NAMC) to investigate the possible implementation of the relevant statutory measures and to report back to her within 60 days. ccording to the MPO, the statutory measures are essential to achieve a census of the dairy cattle population and dairy cattle producers in South Africa. The measures will afford international accreditation of exports, prevent cattle and human health risks and promote research objectives and product quality. D irectly affected groups in the milk industry are requested to submit any comments on the proposed statutory measures to the NAMC in writing (by fax or e-mail) on or before 24 August 2007, to enable the council to formalise its recommendation to the minister in this regard. – Cornelia du Plooy