ANNEXURE 3
MINUTES OF THE 17th MEETING OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT EVALUATION
COMMITTEE HELD ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, 3&4 NOVEMBER 2015 STARTED
AT 14:00 IN THE PROTEA HOTEL, HILTON, KWA-ZULU NATAL
Present
Members:
Others:
Erasmus, Theuns (Prof)
Fouché, Nico
Jooste, Piet (Prof)
Lok, Nigel
Meissner, Heinz (Dr)
Van Dijk, Chris (Dr)
Teichmann, Nicolette
CEO
Programme Manager: R&D (Chairperson of the RPEC)
Minuting Secretary
Apology
Member:
1.
Kraamwinkel, Alwyn
WELCOME
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, mentioning that Mr Kraamwinkel had
apologized.
2.
COMPETITION LAW COMPLIANCE
The meeting noted that any aspect which could contravene the competition law, should be
brought to the attention of the Chairperson.
3.
DECLARATION OF INTEREST
The meeting noted that any interest that a member may have in any point of discussion, should
be declared, unless previously declared to the RPEC.
4.
FINALIZING THE AGENDA
Item 15.5 was added: "Articles in the MPO Milk Bulletin". The agenda was then accepted.
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5.
PREVIOUS MINUTES
5.1
Fourteenth meeting: 19 May 2015
The minutes were adopted subject to the following amendments:
Item 7.2.2: The correct spelling was Dr Carel Muller.
Item 13.2, last sentence to read: “…programme would end…in 2016”
5.2
Fifteenth (special) meeting: 9 July 2015
The minutes were adopted with the following amendment:
Item 5, par. 7: Point (i) to be removed.
5.3
Sixteenth (special) meeting: 9 October 2015
The minutes were adopted subject to the following amendments:
Res. 4.2.3 to read: “…should also reflect benefits of the project…”
Res. 5.2: “By” to be inserted after “owned”.
6.
MATTERS EMANATING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
All matters emanating from the previous minutes were covered below.
7.
FINANCES
7.1
Financial position and budget
The CEO explained the budget for 2016 and 2017 as included in the agenda pack, saying
that the 2016 figures had been adopted by the Board, except for the R766 000 which was
R200 000 more than the approved amount. He said that an additional R200 000 had been
recommended by Exco for approval by the Board, which was to be used for
administrative assistance to the Programme Manager.
He also pointed to the following:
i.
The amounts for National Disease Monitoring & Extension Systems included
R100 000 per annum for the possible contribution to a screening test that was
being developed by the CSIR.
ii.
The surplus funds (accrued from 2006 to 2009) would be fully utilized in 2016.
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iii.
The initial approved amount for the fasciola project run by UP (University of
Pretoria) was R350 000 in 2016, which was amended to R700 000, on the
RPEC’s approval.
Regarding the financial position to date, the CEO mentioned that the budget was
projected to be exceeded with approximately R108 000 due to the higher amount
approved by the RPEC for the fasciola project managed by Dr Van Wyk of UP.
The Programme Manager said that where applicable, the 2015 financial statements
should reflect funds that were advanced to projects during 2015 in respect of 2016.
7.2
External funding
Stands over.
8.
FIVE-YEAR PLANNING
The five-year plan, as well as the R&D Fields and subjects document as updated by the
Programme Manager were noted. Regarding the latter document, it was decided that biosecurity
forms an integral part of other R&D fields, and that the document be appropriately adjusted by
the Programme Manager in liaison with Dr Van Dijk.
8.1
9.
That biosecurity forms an integral part of other R&D fields, and that the
document "R&D Fields and subjects" be appropriately adjusted by the
Programme Manager in liaison with Dr Van Dijk and that a
recommendation be made to the RPEC.
Programme
Manager &
Dr Van
Dijk
PROJECTS - BOARD APPROVED & ONGOING
9.1
Liver fluke programme
9.1.1 Fasciola hepatica: Impact on Dairy Production and Sustainable Management on
Selected Farms in South Africa
9.1.1.1 Quarterly report
The Quarterly report was noted and accepted.
9.1.1.2 Project proposal: 2016
The proposal was included in the agenda pack and discussed in depth.
The Programme Manager said that capacity was a problem, as Dr Van
Wyk was not an appointee of UP and that continuity would be
problematic if he did not receive funds in addition to the project funds.
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The Programme Manager added that it was unacceptable that
helminthology did not have the required capacity at UP (preferably at
Onderstepoort and as a second prize, in the Animal Sciences department)
and proposed that Milk SA and other animal industry organizations
should submit a presentation in this regard to UP. For example, he said,
the industry organizations could consider placing a post-doctoral
associate as nucleus at UP, under the supervision of Dr Van Wyk. The
meeting agreed and decided that the Programme Manager and Dr Van
Dijk would first approach the Dean of Veterinary Sciences informally in
this regard.
Resolved:
9.1.1.2.1
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
Not to proceed with telemetry;
That the objective of the project in terms
of early warning should be ranked higher
(linked to blood and liver analyses);
That the latter objective be linked to the
project "National Disease Monitoring and
Extension Systems";
That climate should be highlighted as a
key variable in liver fluke prevalence and
diseases in general;
That the project leader should hold a
workshop with the participating milk
producers to update them on the findings
and further planning;
That the training element of the project (to
farm personnel) should receive formal
status;
That items 3.7 and 3.8 of the proposal be
left out. (It was decided previously that
proposals submitted on request of the
RPEC should not be required to indicate
how the projects would contribute to
broaden the market and improve national
competitiveness of the dairy industry);
Under "Aim" in the proposal, the last part
of the first sentence should be reworded to
make it clear that it is about empowering
management to assess the risk of snail
infection on different parts of a farm,
instead of "… appraisal of farms …" (as
indicated in the CEO's letter of 13 October
2015;
CEO &
Programme
Manager
4
ix
ix.
That the Programme Manager and Dr Van
Dijk would approach the Dean of
Veterinary Sciences at UP informally with
a view to increasing capacity in
helminthology in collaboration with other
animal industry organizations - preferably
at Onderstepoort and as a second prize, in
the Animal Sciences department; and
That the budget for 2016 be amended to
exclude PCR activities and to be reduced
to R700 000.
9.1.2 Proposal of UKZN (Dr Mark Laing) to address liver fluke through biocontrol
(Amended proposal awaited): Programme Manager's information document
The explanatory document of the Programme Manager was noted, titled "MSA:
History of Bio-control of Fasciola and Nematodes: Document to assist CEO to
make an informed decision - 2015.10.16".
Resolved:
9.1.2.1 That the UKZN be requested to resubmit the proposal to
deal with liver fluke only, and that the Milk SA Board of
Directors be requested to advance R300 000 - which was
the total value of the liver fluke project within the
UKZN's proposed programme that involves other
parasites as well.
9.2
CEO
Mastitis programme
9.2.1 Investigating alternative methods such as bacteriophages and bacteriocins to
control mastitis organisms
9.2.1.1 Quarterly report
The report was noted and the meeting expressed concern at the slow
progress in obtaining Staphylococcus aureus strains from the UP
(Onderstepoort). The Programme Manager explained that the variety of
samples provided by the Karkloof producers was too limited and that
Onderstepoort (Dr Petzer) could assist in providing a greater variety from
their pool. The meeting was not impressed with the statement that "Dr
Petzer would also like assurance that our cooperation will result in
outputs for which we both can claim credit, i.e. likely publications".
The Programme Manager said that he would address the afore-mentioned
and Intellectual Property aspects.
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The importance of literature studies - as previously decided - was
stressed. The Programme Manager said he would circulate the PhD thesis
of Dr Iona Basdew (Post-doctoral assistant) among the members of the
RPEC.
Resolved:
9.2.1.1.1 That the Programme Manager would address
cooperation between UP Onderstepoort and
UKZN as well as Intellectual Property aspects
of the project "Investigating alternative
methods such as bacteriophages and
bacteriocins to control mastitis organisms".
Programme
Manager
9.2.1.1.2
That the Programme Manager would circulate
the PhD thesis of Dr Iona Basdew (Postdoctoral assistant to the project mentioned in
Res 9.2.1.1.1) among the members of the
Research Project Evaluation Committee.
Programme
Manager
9.2.1.1.3
That the UKZN should explain "the
significance of analysing for milk fat content"
under goal 8 of the proposal.
Programme
Manager
9.2.1.2 Project proposal: 2016
Resolved:
9.2.1.2.1 That the proposal for 2016 be accepted for the
project "Investigating alternative methods such
as bacteriophages and bacteriocins to control
mastitis organisms".
9.2.2
Programme
Manager
Resistance to available antibiotics in lactating cows with mastitis
9.2.2.1 Quarterly report
The report was noted and accepted.
9.2.2.2 Project proposal: 2016
The proposal was noted.
Resolved:
9.2.2.2.1 That the medium term goal under item 3.3
Programme
namely "Evaluating the risk factors causing an Manager
extraordinary, seasonal increase in bulk milk
somatic cell count, in pasture based dairy herds
in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa" not
be accepted (pertaining to the 2016 proposal
for the project "Resistance to available
antibiotics in lactating cows with mastitis".)
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9.2.2.2.2
That the R50 000 consulting fee for Dr
Programme
Lategan and Dr Hoek each - "in recognition for Manager
their graduate work being done at own
expense" be rejected.
9.2.2.2.3
That the questionnaire be reviewed by Mr Lok,
Dr Van Dijk and Dr Vincent Turner in
collaboration with the project proposer (Dr
Van der Leek) and that in the meantime, input
from the members of RPEC be submitted to
the Office of Milk SA.
Dr Van
Dijk
9.2.2.3 Visit to Registrar to discuss the registration of antibiotics for mastitis
(Minutes, 9 July 2015, Res 5.5)
It was noted that Dr Van Dijk had had discussions with the Registrar
in this regard.
9.3
National Disease Monitoring and Extension System
9.3.1 Quarterly report
The meeting agreed that the quarterly reports thus far were not sufficiently
comprehensive for the RPEC to reach a conclusion on whether the dairy industry
was benefiting. In addition, the reports generated for the milk producers'
information were not regarded as user-friendly.
Resolved:
9.3.1.1 That the quarterly report (Jun - Aug 2015) for the project
"National Disease Monitoring and Extension System" be
referred back to Dr Odendaal, as it was not sufficiently
comprehensive for the RPEC to judge the benefits to the
dairy industry.
9.3.2
CEO /
Programme
Manager
Project proposal: 2016 (Awaited due to item 9.3.3)
The proposal was noted and rejected. It was also noted that no mention was made
of the possible introduction of the CSIR's initiative for field tests, as previously
discussed. Furthermore, it was noted that Dr Odendaal had had discussions with
SA Studbook with regard to cooperation between the "National Disease
Monitoring and Extension System" project and Logix Milk of SA Studbook,
without consultation with or approval by Milk SA.
Resolved:
9.3.2.1 To reject the project proposal by V-Net (Dr Odendaal) for CEO &
2016.
Programme
Manager
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9.3.3
9.3.2.2
That the national disease reports generated for the milk
CEO &
producers' information were not regarded as user-friendly, Programme
and to request the Project Manager (Dr Odendaal) to
Manager
collaborate with the Milk Producers' Organisation (MPO)
with the objective to:
 Review the goals and required output of the
project;
 Review the content and format of the project; and
 Await a revised project proposal during February
2016 from Dr Odendaal (V-Net).
9.3.2.3
That the Board of Directors of Milk SA be informed of
resolutions 9.3.1.1 and 9.3.2.1, and requested to fund the
project as currently structured until March 2016, with a
view to introducing a new project format as from 1 April
2016.
CEO &
Programme
Manager
9.3.2.4
That Dr Odendaal's discussions with SA Studbook
regarding cooperation between the "National Disease
Monitoring and Extension System" project and Logix
Milk of SA Studbook, without consultation with or
approval by Milk SA, be addressed.
CEO &
Programme
Manager
Streamlining the reports to make them more producer-friendly
(Minutes, 19 May 2015, Res 5.3.1.1)
Discussed under items 9.3.1 and 9.3.2.
9.4
The microbial quality of milk for human consumption in South Africa with special
reference to coliform types and Escherichia coli strains
Not discussed.
10.
PROJECTS AND WORK ITEMS - PENDING & ENVISAGED
10.1
The prevalence of and reasons for milk flocculation after heat treatment in certain
geographical areas1
10.1.1 Project proposal: The significance of proteolytic psychrotrophs as a cause
of milk flocculation / protein instability (UFS - Prof Celia Hugo)
The resubmitted project proposal was accepted.
1
- Study topic 1: The effect of nutrition in cows on milk flocculation: Outeniqua (Prof Robin Meeske)
- Study topic 2: The significance of proteolytic psychrotrophs as a cause of milk flocculation / protein instability: TUT (Prof Piet Jooste)
- Study topic 3: The impact of proteinases and chemicals on milk flocculation: UVS (Dr Koos Myburgh)
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Resolved:
10.1.1.1
To accept the project proposal for 2016 titled "The
significance of proteolytic psychrotrophs as a cause
of milk flocculation / protein instability" (UFS - Prof
Celia Hugo).
CEO &
Programme
Manager
10.1.2 Project proposal: Milk flocculation (UFS - Dr Koos Myburgh)
The meeting agreed to accept the resubmitted proposal subject to certain
amendments.
Resolved:
10.1.2.1
That the resubmitted "Milk flocculation" proposal of the
UFS (Dr Koos Myburgh) be accepted subject to the
following:
i. That a post-doctoral student be made responsible
for the management of the project;
ii. That Prof Piet Jooste be appointed as mentor; and
iii. That the terms and conditions in respect of the
above be clarified by the Programme Manager in
liaison with the post-doctoral student.
CEO &
Programme
Manager
10.1.3 Pilot study: Outeniqua (Western Cape Dept of Agric - Prof Robin Meeske)
It was noted that the Outeniqua Research farm was running a pilot study and that
the results were being awaited.
10.1.4 Liaison with experts (Minutes, 19 May 2015, Res 6.2.1)
Not discussed.
10.2
Biofilms
Noted that a proposal was still in discussion phase.
10.3
Integrated dairy animal performance improvement programme (IDAPIP)
10.3.1 Proposal to TIA2 by the Livestock Genomics Consortium on behalf of the SA
Dairy Industry
The Programme Manager informed the meeting that TIA had approached the UP
to compile a proposal for a dairy genomics programme, to be funded by TIA. He
said a similar programme had already been already approved by TIA for the beef
industry.
2
Technology Innovation Agency.
9
He referred to the document included in the agenda pack, saying that:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
He had assisted Dr Esté van Marlé-Koster (UP) with the proposal;
A Programme Committee was required which ideally should comprise the
breeders associations, Milk SA, MPO, a person representing the
programme's Technical Committee and other directly affected
institutions;
The Chairperson should be from the organized dairy industry; and
The Programme Leader (to be funded by TIA) should be a geneticist who
could become the successor to the present Programme Manager: R&D
(Dr Meissner).
Resolved:
10.3.1.1
That the proposal to TIA by the Livestock Genomics
Consortium on behalf of the SA Dairy Industry, as
amended by the Programme Manager in liaison with Dr
Esté van Marlé-Koster (UP), be supported, without any
financial responsibilities for Milk SA.
CEO &
Programme
Manager
10.3.2 Further development of the programme
None.
10.4
Residual feed intake
Stands over.
10.5
Probiotics in milk products
Stands over.
11.
INTERACTION WITH NATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL STRUCTURES
11.1
SESCORD
11.1.1 Programme for 4 November 2015
Noted.
11.1.2 Frequency of meetings
To be tested with SESCORD members.
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11.2
Western Cape Department of Agriculture
11.2.1 Silage project
No further developments to be reported.
11.2.2 Dr Carel Muller
As previously noted, Dr Carel Muller (Specialist Scientist: Dairy cattle, Institute
for Animal Production, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Elsenburg)
would retire in January 2016 and it was previously envisaged by the Programme
Manager to involve him in the Residual Feed Intake (RFI) project which was
approved by the RPEC in principle.
11.3
Eastern Cape DRDAR
11.3.1 Memorandum of Agreement (MoA)
It was noted that the CEO had sent another draft MoA to the Department of Rural
Development and Agrarian Reform of the Eastern Cape, and was awaiting
response.
11.3.2 Livestock Development: Milk SA Principles
As previously reported, it was again noted that in November 2014, an ad hoc
Committee of Milk SA had considered draft principles for successful dairy
farming, which would be taken further in a follow-up meeting, which to date had
not happened. The matter emanated from a request at SESCORD from the
DRDAR, that Milk SA should assist with ideal farming models for emerging
producers, following which the said ad hoc Committee had agreed to rather
establish said draft principles.
The CEO said he had reminded the Transformation Manager and the Work
Group of the Internal Management Committee to attend to the matter, but to no
avail. The CEO suggested that the matter be scrapped from the agenda due to
lack of progress, but the meeting decided that it should remain until a response
had been received.
Resolved:
11.3.2.1
That the matter concerning "Milk SA principles for
successful dairy farming" to guide emerging dairy
producers, remain on the agenda until a response had
been received.
CEO
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11.4
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs
11.4.1 Memorandum of Agreement (MoA)
It was noted that another draft MoA would be considered on 4 November 2015
by the CEO and Programme Manager in liaison with the Department's officials.
11.4.2 Pasture cultivar selection and breeding (Minutes, 19 May 2015, Res 7.4.2.1)
The matter was to be discussed at SESCORD.
11.5
Agricultural Research Council
It was noted that the MoA with the ARC would be revisited after clarity had been
obtained regarding the Integrated Dairy Animal Performance Improvement programme
(IDAPIP), including the possible genomics programme to be submitted to TIA.
12.
NATIONAL R&D PRODUCERS' WORK GROUP
12.1
TMR Expert Group (Minutes, 9 July 2015, Res 6.1 & Minutes, 19 May 2015,
Res 14.1.1)
Dr Van Dijk said he needed additional time to give execution to the previous decision,
namely that the MPO would consider the establishment of an expert TMR group. He
added that the MPO was increasing its involvement in technological development. It was
agreed that the item would be removed from the agenda.
Resolved:
12.1.1
To remove "TMR expert group” from the agenda.
13.
CEO
PRACTICAL DIRECTION BY RPEC ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING
ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES & RESPONSIBILITIES
(Minutes, 19 May 2015, Item 11)
13.1
Rural Development and Environmental Challenges and Responsibilities
The following was noted from the agenda notes:
Res 10.3 of 10 March 2015: "That the RPEC should provide practical direction for the
Board's consideration regarding rural development, including environmental challenges
and responsibilities (referring to the memorandum on page 111 of the agenda), and that
an inventory of the initiatives by role-players should be a point of departure; and that a
special RPEC meeting be held on this topic.";
12
Res 10.4 of 10 March 2015: "That a discussion between the Programme Manager and
the RPO in respect of rural development, including environmental challenges and
responsibilities (referring to the memorandum on page 111 of the agenda), be
supported."
Resolved:
13.1.1
That the topic "Rural Development and Environmental
Challenges and Responsibilities" remain on the agenda.
14.
CEO
GENERAL GUIDELINES AND PRINCIPLES
An updated document was included in the agenda pack for discussion. The document would be
improved as decided in the meeting.
Resolved:
14.1
That the "General Guidelines and Principles" document be
adjusted as follows:


15.
CEO
Item 6 i: Amend in accordance with a more recent
decision regarding invitations for proposals.
Remove items 18 and 19, as they were duplications of
items 13 and 14.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS
15.1
Revision of the R&D fields and subjects (Minutes, 9 July 2015, Res 5.1)
An updated document was included in the agenda pack. The matter was discussed under
item 8 above.
15.2
Research requirements associated with black emerging milk producers and
transformation in general
Resolved:
15.2.1
To remove the standard item "Research requirements
associated with black emerging milk producers and
transformation in general" as the Transformation
structures of Milk SA were aware that they could
approach the Programme Manager: R&D or CEO for any
special R&D requirements in terms of the emerging dairy
sector.
CEO
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15.3
Administration of the R&D Programme of Milk SA
(Minutes, 9 July 2015, Res 8.1 & 8.2)
The CEO mentioned that R200 000 had been recommended by Exco for administrative
assistance to the Programme Manager: R&D, the details of which still would have to be
attended to. It was noted that the Board of Directors of Milk SA would have to take a
decision in this regard on 25 November 2015.
15.4
External communication regarding projects
Resolved:
15.4.1
That the Programme Manager and CEO be encouraged to
supply information for publishing in the MPO Milk
Bulletin, The Dairy Mail and Milk Essay.
15.4.2
15.5
That Project Managers be requested (preferably via the
contracts) to submit half-yearly populistic summaries of
projects that could be used for publication in the media
mentioned above in resolution no. 15.4.1.
Programme
Manager &
CEO
Programme
Manager &
CEO
Articles in the MPO Milk Bulletin
Referring to certain articles in the MPO Milk Bulletin of 30 October 2015, the
Programme Manager said he had been surprised to note the MPO's involvement in areas
which could have implications for Milk SA, such as discussions with the DTI and liaison
with the University of the Free State regarding research opportunities.
It was agreed that transparency and effective communication between Milk SA and its
members (SAMPRO and MPO) regarding their activities pertaining to issues of common
concern to the SA dairy industry, were pivotal to sound relations and to a unified
approach to serve the dairy industry best.
Resolved:
15.5.1
That transparency and effective communication between Milk SA and
its members (SAMPRO and MPO) regarding its activities pertaining to
issues of common concern to the SA dairy industry, were pivotal to
sustaining sound relations and a unified approach for optimal service to
the dairy industry.
16.
NEXT SCHEDULED MEETINGS
The following dates as scheduled, were noted, but it was agreed that the February meetings
should be postponed to possibly April 2016 and that the Milk SA Office would advise
accordingly:
18-19 February 2016 (RPEC & SESCORD)
1-2 September 2016 (RPEC & SESCORD)
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17.
CLOSING
The Chairman concluded the meeting at 09:45 on 4 November 2015, with a word of thanks to
each member.
NOTNAV086
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