Miller Magazine Issue: 120 December 2019

24 NEWS MILLER / DECEMBER 2019 supply and demand balance database for key producing/ exporting countries (dry peas, chickpeas, lentils) which would be available by July 2020. Members also approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the IGC and the Global Pulse Confederation (GPC); Cost of trade in grains/oilseeds: The Secretariat whi- ch currently calculates over 450 daily cost & freight prices for 17 commodity types across 200 grains/oilseeds routes is working on incorporating information on import tariffs for grains and soyabeans into the interactive web-based tool, including data from the WTO’s Integrated Database and Consolidated Tariff Schedules; Mr. Gary Martin, President of the IGTC, provided an update on current developments in policy and trade pra- ctice. The Council received statements from the WTO on recent developments. The Council welcomed the partici- pation of Mexico, Paraguay and Serbia as observers. The Council welcomed the Republic of Serbia’s interest in joining the organisation and invited its government to submit a formal letter of application. On 4 December 2019 delegates attended a grains fo- rum co-organised by the IGC and Canada titled “Impact of precision breeding innovations on the grains trade”. IGC’s members and representatives from the grains value chain exchanged information on the latest precision bre- eding techniques and reviewed how different regulations in countries could impact global grains trade and invest- ment. The forum discussed ways to work together to mi- nimize potential trade issues resulting from the different regulations. Zimbabwe government decided to scrap import duty on grain products in attempts to impro- ve the availability of basic foodstuffs among starving citizens. Half of Zimbabwe’s population needs food aid after a devastating drought across the southern Africa region. Zimbabwe scraps import controls on maize, wheat flour after drought Zimbabwe has removed import controls on maize and wheat flour following a severe drought that cut supplies. More than half of Zimbabwe’s population requires food aid following an El Nino-induced drought that also re- duced water levels in the biggest hydro dam, leading to rolling power cuts. The country is experiencing its worst economic crisis in a decade, marked by soaring inflation and shortages of food, fuel, medicines and electricity. Acting information minister Simangaliso Ndlovu said in a press statement that the government would now allow anyone to import maize, maize meal and flour. Import duty on the products had also been removed so they can be brought into the country cheaply. “Cabinet has resol- ved to implement removal of control of goods and import services for maize grain, maize meal and wheat flour with immediate effect.” Ndlovu said. The move, authorities say, was “to ensure the continued availability of essen- tial foodstuffs at the market and to counter the effects of drought that was experienced during the 2018- 2019 agricultural season”. Ndlovu said the measures were tem- porary. The government has said Zimbabwe needs more than 800,000 tonnes of maize to plug its grain deficit. Millers will no longer be able to buy grain at subsidized prices from the state grain agency, Ndlovu also said, in a move that takes immediate effect. Zimbabwean millers have welcomed the government decision. Finance Minis- ter Mthuli Ncube had said in a budget speech last week the subsidies would end in January, raising concerns that impoverished citizens would face another round of price increases.