Fresh Notes: Packhouse Action Group (PAG) Meeting
Held on 30 July 2020
Moratorium on High-Cube Containers
Contact: Andy Connell
- The Department of Transport must still conduct the relevant research.
Load-out Temperatures
Contact: Johan Strydom / Bernard Henning
- Many are unaware that PPECB has a 0°C protocol.
- Maximum load-out temperatures under current load-shedding dispensations:
- Apples: +3.0°C
- Winter pears: +2.0°C
- The plan is for these dispensations to become regulations when they expire on 31 December 2020.
- A work group will look at additional code requirements to permit countries.
Alternatives to SOPP
Contact: Bernard Henning
- A commercial company is developing a new pallet sanitising product (PP), expected to be available next season.
Minimum Standard for Polystyrene Trays
Contact: Dawid Malan
- Minimum polystyrene tray specifications are available from supply companies.
- Exporters must include these specifications in their BRC audit.
Pallet Testing Equipment
Contact: Koos Bouwer
- Dr Tarl Berry of CRI (082 419 7218) will operate the equipment as a service in Stellenbosch.
Packhouse Benchmarking
Contact: Dawid Malan
- Updated benchmarking statistics are available.
- Fruit quality benchmarking statistics for apples and pears are available upon request.
Packhouse Water Management Project
Contact: Eddie Vienings
- The project is raising awareness about water monitoring, which is critical for the water footprint.
- Reports show water metering often does not distinguish consumption between the packhouse, offices, ablutions, and cooling towers.
- This distinction is necessary to benchmark water consumption over time.
- The project will continue next season, focusing on increasing participation and improving data accuracy.
- Packhouses are encouraged to participate.
Market Access Feedback
Contact: Jacques du Preez
- Due to the lockdown, inspectors from respective countries could not travel to SA; DAFF performed their role.
- Volumes to special markets were low.
- Many negotiation processes were on hold due to the lockdown.
CA Meetings
Contact: Richard Hurndall
- The CA meeting is planned as a webinar on 3 November.
- A meeting of CA operators will also be convened by webinar, date to be advised.
Fire Risk Insurance
Contact: Koos Bouwer
- Koos Bouwer will request the Cold Chain Alliance to develop guidelines to assist cold stores with fire insurance.
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: Dr Malcolm Dodd (malcolm@alaceraer.co.za), Bryce MacIntyre (bryce.macintyre@kaapagri.co.za)
- Environmental Footprint: Eddie Vienings (eddie@bluenorth.co.za), Hugh Campbell (hugh@hortgro.co.za)
- Packhouse Large: Dawid Malan (dawid@tad.co.za), Francois Malan (francois.malan@cfg.co.za), Willem Coetzee (willem@dutoit.com)
- Packhouse Small: Hendrik Claassen (hendrik@bellafrutta.co.za), Vacancy
- 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)
- DAFF:
- Director: Food Safety and Quality Assurance, Billy Makhafola (BillyM@daff.gov.za)
- Regional Manager: NPPPIS WC Directorate: Inspection Services, Gcobani Tsako (GcobaniT@daff.gov.za)
- Hortgro: Jacques du Preez (jacques@hortgro.co.za), Lindi Benic (lindi@hortgro.co.za)
- Research: Prof Wiehann Steyn (wiehann@hortgro.co.za)