GrainSA, a South African grain producer, conducted an open forum to deliberate and bring new information to light on issues concerning the government’s exclusion of maize, as a potential feedstock for biofuels.
Last year the South African cabinet voted against allowing maize to be produced for use as a feedstock for biofuels. Since the decision, an informal debate has been ongoing between industry, academia, and government as to whether doing so would have a negative impact on food production. GrainSA’s position is that that the use of the crop would, in fact, ‘uncap’ the market, and positively enhance food security.
“From producer side, we don’t want to jeopardize food security in South Africa, and we see the biofuels industry as a way of uncapping the market. We want to produce more, in a more sustainable way, at a better price. To enable the primary producers to produce at the optimal level and that is why we engage with the other role players and the people who can influence policy. We want this to be an open discussion,” indicated GrainSA chairperson Neels Ferreira.
Industry feels it has sufficient evidence that maize for biofuel feedstock can be produced responsibly and without jeopardizing food supply and wants the government to re-think its decision.
Cosatu, a powerful South African labor body, warned in April, that the country could become the latest to experience riots in protest against soaring food prices, especially in light of maize prices having doubled since the beginning of 2006.
“If we are to influence government and policymakers differently, what guarantees will we have to put in place so that we ensure that as the industry grows with the jobs being created, that the food is on the table and people can be able to afford it and access it?” was the question posed by Cosatu deputy general secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali.