[ Home ] [ Speeches & statements ]

11 January 2008

On 13 December 2007 the Minister for Agriculture and Land Affairs, Honourable Lulu Xingwana held discussions with Grain South Africa, Agri SA and the National African Farmers Union (Nafu). The discussions focused on the decision by Cabinet at its meeting held on 5 December to exclude maize in the biofuels industry strategy.

The minister informed the meeting that the decision by Cabinet was based on the concern that there will not be sufficient maize available for the sustainable supply to the bioethanol industry without impacting on food security. The leadership of Grain South Africa, Agri SA and Nafu also made their presentations to the ministry in an attempt to address the concerns of Cabinet and further stated that they were capable of producing surplus maize that could be used for biofuels without impacting on food security.

In the light of the possible use of surplus maize for biofuels the minister ended the meeting by saying that she would once again arrange a meeting with the minister for minerals and energy with a view of reopening the subject. This meeting is still to be arranged. Following these discussions there have been media reports quite recently to the effect that government was prepared to reconsider the exclusion of maize in the production of biofuels. It should be noted that no new decision was taken at this meeting except the decision by Cabinet on 5 December 2007.

At no stage during the discussions did Minister Xingwana commit government to reconsider maize for biofuel production. This is solely a matter to be determined by Cabinet.

For more information contact
Godfrey Mdhluli
Media Liaison Officer in the Ministry
Tel: (012) 319 6843
Cell: 079871543

Issued by: Ministry of Agriculture and Land Affairs
11 January 2008