Fresh Notes: Packhouse Action Group (PAG) Meeting

Held on 9 November 2023

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Contact: Elise-Marie Steenkamp

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Conventional Shipping Protocols

Contact: Bernard Henning

• The PPECB blue book (Act 9 of 1983) is in use but not currently implemented for conventional shipping vessels.
• The revised Regulation R917 will be updated in due course.

Logistics Chain Efficiencies

Contact: Jacques du Preez

• Weekly meetings with port authorities and additional meetings with Western Cape and National governments.
• Shipping delays of 10–12 days are being experienced.
• Procedures are being developed to access equipment and services from the WC government and private sector.
• WC government offered 2 millwrights and 2 diesel mechanics for an interim period; industry prepared to double these services for 3 months.
• Additional rubber-tyred gantries are being imported from the USA (operational in December).
• Transnet has established a readiness plan for operations, equipment, and maintenance.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Work Group

Contact: Prof Wiehann Steyn

• Hortgro plans to appoint an ESG person to drive the work group, covering packaging recycling, food waste, sustainability, environmental, carbon, and HR issues.

Plastic Work Group Issues for the ESG Incumbent:

• Colour coding of plastic strapping
• Encourage plastic recyclers to become BRC accredited for food contact recycled plastic
• Become conversant with food safety legislation/standards
• Coordinate industry-wide response to pressure suppliers to meet market deadlines
• Become conversant with the UN Plastics Treaty (to be finalised and ratified by end of 2024)

1-MCP Treatment of Packham’s Triumph

• Packham’s Triumph pears treated immediately after harvest remain firm and rubbery, not ripening to a soft, melting texture.
• Hortgro Pome recommends not treating Packham’s Triumph pears immediately after harvest.
• Recent info shows delayed 1-MCP treatment during storage may benefit quality.
• Recommendation: Treat after a minimum of 2 months of cold storage or just prior to room opening.
• Producers must act responsibly in the long-term interests of the industry.

Next Generation Packaging Systems for Hi-Cube Containers

Contact: Prof Wiehann Steyn

• Experico has received approval for a one-year scoping exercise to gather information for the project.

Packhouse Benchmarking Project

Contact: Willem Coetzee / Hendrik Claassen

• Frudata has been approached to conduct the benchmarking exercise going forward.

Packhouse Water and Energy Management Projects

Contact: Eddie Vienings

• The next phase of these projects is underway.

Fire Risk Project

Contact: Koos Bouwer

• Insurance companies are placing more onerous requirements on packhouses to obtain insurance.
• Additional participants are required for this project. Please contact Koos Bouwer.

Projects for 2023/2024

• Water Benchmarking – K Heyns
• Electricity Benchmarking – K Heyns
• Packhouse Benchmarking – W Coetzee / H Claassen
• ESG Work Group – Hortgro
• Minimum Packaging Specs – J Strydom
• Shipping Temperature Regimes – J Strydom
• Fire Risk Project – K Bouwer

Market Access Feedback

Contact: Jacques du Preez / Lindi Benic

Mexico

• Invitation letters will be provided soon.

Taiwan

• S Johnson (Hortgro) and DALRRD conducted a codling moth investigation in EGVV.
• Additional investigation by DALRRD in the Langkloof; second round of reports compiled for Taiwanese authorities after interception of codling moth larvae in Taiwan.
• Packhouse inspections likely; committed packhouses need to be identified.

Thailand

• Draft apple protocol accepted by SA.
• Two Thailand inspectors expected in February for PUC & PHC inspections (to be confirmed).

Philippines

• Awaiting further feedback from Philippine authorities regarding access for apples and pears.

PAG Disciplines and Coordinators

Please contact the relevant person if you have any queries regarding the PAG.

• Chairman: Koos Bouwer (bouweb@orangenet.co.za)
• Engineering: Henk Ryke (henk@tad.co.za), Koos Bouwer (bouweb@orangenet.co.za)
• Packaging: Bryce MacIntyre (bryce.macintyre@gmail.com)
• Environmental Footprint: Eddie Vienings (eddie@bluenorth.co.za), Karlien Heyns (karlien@bluenorth.co.za), Hugh Campbell (hugh@hortgro.co.za)
• Packhouse Large: Francois Malan (francois.malan@cfg.co.za), Willem Coetzee (willem@dutoit.com), Hein Punt (info@lanko.co.za)
• Packhouse Small: Hendrik Claassen (hendrik@bellafrutta.co.za), Thinus Loock (thinus@jjloock.co.za)
• Post-Harvest Quality: Dr Elke Crouch (elke@sun.ac.za), Henk Griessel (henkg@tru-cape.co.za), Jaco Moelich (jaco.moelich@fruitways.co.za)
• Logistics: Johan Strydom (pslog@mweb.co.za), Andy Connell (andy@abarc.co.za)
• Communication Strategy: Richard Hurndall (hurndallr@gmail.com), Koos Bouwer (bouweb@orangenet.co.za), Elise-Marie Steenkamp (elise-marie@hortgro.co.za)
• PPECB: Bernardus Henning (bernardush@ppecb.com)
• FPEF: Werner van Rooyen (werner@fpef.co.za)
• DALRRD:
  • Director: Food Safety and Quality Assurance, Billy Makhafola (BillyM@dalrrd.gov.za)
  • Regional Manager: NPPPIS WC Directorate: Inspection Services, Gcobani Tsako (GcobaniT@dalrrd.gov.za)
• Hortgro: Jacques du Preez (jacques@hortgro.co.za), Lindi Benic (lindi@hortgro.co.za)
• Research: Prof Wiehann Steyn (wiehann@hortgro.co.za)
• SIZA: Werner van Dyk (werner@siza.co.za)