The
SANSOR Seed Analysts Standing Committee had one official meeting
during the period under review. Several ad hoc meetings
to deal with specific issues, however, had also been convened.
The International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) implemented
"extraordinary meetings" on an annual basis, while the usual
ISTA conference would still take place every three years. The
format of the ISTA rules was also changed. The former "book"
format was replaced by a file format, which resulted in
amendments to the Rules to be more user friendly (pages easily
removed and replaced with amended pages). There would
subsequently be a cost saving as a new set of rules would not
have to be purchased every time a rule change took place.
Regulations to the Plant Improvement Act were currently under
review. Possible amendments had been scheduled to include new
requirements owing to changed seed testing methods. While
numerous changes were concerned, the most impacting would be
those relating to the purity and germination requirements for
smuts finger grass, white buffalo grass and Rhodes grass. The
present methodology and requirements would, however, be
maintained during the interim.
A letter was sent out to all SANSOR member companies
regarding membership of the International Society of Seed
Technologists (ISST). The Seed Analysts Standing Committee was
extremely proud to report that a "Chapter" was in the process of
being registered. Eleven seed technologists/analysts from the
following companies requested membership of the "Chapter":
Pioneer Hi-bred, MayFord Seed, Starke Ayres, Pannar Seed,
D & PL South Africa, Agricol Seed, Vrystaat Co-op, SITEC and
Link Seed.
The Directorate: Genetic Resources of the National Department
of Agriculture was still the provider of practical seed testing
training during the period under review. It would, however, be
necessary for the above-mentioned training provider to apply to
the Sector Education & Training Authority for Secondary
Agriculture (SETASA) for the necessary accreditation. The
Committee intended to take up this matter with the Department
during the forthcoming year. Owing to circumstances beyond the
Committee’s control, the approval of the seed analyst
qualification "National Certificate in Seed Analysis at an NQF
level 3" was still pending at the time of this report.
The Committee lost two of its veteran members to other
companies and would like to wish them all the best in their new
capacities. However, to those still active members the Committee
wished to extend sincere appreciation for all their hard work
and assistance.
The Seed Analysts Standing Committee would finally also like
to thank the individual companies, SANSOR Secretariat, the
Directorate: Genetic Resources and all other parties concerned
for their continued support. This support was indispensable
during the period under review.
