Technical Committee

The AFMA Technical Committee is responsible for all feed manufacturing-, nutrition- and feeding related matters. The Committee meets four times per year and is regularly attended by more than 50 representatives from feed- and ingredient manufacturers across South Africa. The Technical Committee is engaged in a number of projects which are managed through dedicated portfolio committees. Each of the portfolio committees has a primary convenor and its members are voluntary industry experts (AFMA members) and/or invited specialists.

The following portfolio committees and projects are currently active:

PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE	FOCUS AREA AND PROJECTS
Monitoring: Salmonella	Assessing the latest trends on salmonella contamination to continuously update the AFMA salmonella monitoring guidelines and sampling schedule for critical raw materials.
Monitoring: Mycotoxin	Assessing the latest trends on mycotoxin contamination of SA maize crops to continuously update the AFMA Code of Practice for the control of mycotoxins in the production of animal feed.
Monitoring: Dioxins	Assessing the latest trends on dioxin contamination to continuously update the list of high-risk raw materials to be included in a sampling schedule.
Ingredient Quality	Investigating quality aspects of various feed ingredients when an industry concern is raised. Projects include maize moisture levels, the quality of sunflower oilcake and a trial on the maximum moisture content of hominy chop.
Nutrient Requirements	Revising the nutrient requirements of various production animals and providing technical recommendations to the registrar on the minimum specifications for animal feed to meet those requirements. The project covers all animal feeds, including game feed.
Undesirable Substances	Providing guidance on undesirable substances as per the Act 36 Regulations. Projects include the quantification of Datura spp.  weed seeds in oilcakes.
Ad hoc Committees	Various ad hoc committees are formed to address a specific industry matter. Once the project is completed, these committees are dissolved. Projects include: antimicrobial resistance, carry-over of medication in compound feeds and carry-over of medication in premixes.
Symposium	Compiling the annual AFMA Symposium scientific programme on relevant topics.
TEDTS (Technical Education, Development, Training & Skills)	Bridging the “gap” between students and the workplace through various workshops and career opportunity information sessions. Promoting applied science research that is relevant to the SA feed industry through its partnership with SASAS.

Chairperson: Dr Francois van de Vyver (Nutri Feeds)
Vice-chairperson: Chantelle Fryer (Evonik Nutrition and Care)