Social+Dialogue+On+Surplus+Maize+As+Source+For+Biofuel,+FAWU




 * FAWU Media Release, 8 January 2008**

=Social Dialogue On Surplus Maize As Source For Biofuel=

The Food & Allied Workers Union (FAWU) wishes to express regret on the statements attributed to our country's Minister of Land and Agriculture Minister Lulu Xingwana, that surplus Maize could be considered for the processing / manufacturing of biofuel products by the Cabinet.

More importantly, we strongly condemn Grain South Africa for chasing the Minister with all sorts of 'rosy-sounding' submission that Food Security or Supply levels of grain stocks, used for processing into Maize Meal, a staple product, will not be affected by dual use of additionally serving as input to biofuel industry.

Because of the seriousness of the issue, we call on the Grain SA proposal to be tabled first at a Multipartite NEDLAC institution for negotiations by social partners before the Cabinet finalizes determination on this matter.

Meanwhile, it remains our strong belief that it is impossible to have two markets, one for adequate grain stock for milling maize meal and the other so-called surplus for biofuel, from a single identifiable integrated grain stock.

Therefore, we call on Cabinet and the Minister of Land and Agriculture and of Minerals and Energy not to accept proposals of Grain SA and consequently pass a policy decision accepting such submission.


 * For more information kindly contact our General Secretary, K. Masemola**

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