Wheat growers can have their say

Wheat growers can have their say

Australia’s wheat growers will be able to have their say on reforms to their industry from next month.

The Wheat Industry Expert Group, appointed two weeks ago by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke, has met for the first time, and set a timetable for its deliberations.

The expert group will advise the Government on industry development functions such as wheat classification, receival standards, generic promotion, strategic planning and varietal development.

“The expert group will release a discussion paper for public comment by 20 March 2008,” its Chairman, Mr John Crosby, said today.

“This will provide an opportunity for all those in the industry with an interest in the delivery of these functions to provide their views.”

Mr Crosby said the group will issue a media release when the discussion paper is made public.

The paper will be published on the website of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, www.daff.gov.au/wheat

“After it has considered submissions from the industry, the group will finalise a report on how these industry development functions should be provided,” Mr Crosby said.

“The group must report to the Minister by 24 April 2008, but will not be commenting on the Government’s proposed wheat marketing policy.”

The Industry Expert Group’s members are Mr John Crosby (Chair); Ms Gail Dowie; Mr Geoff Honey; Mr Dan Mangelsdorf; Mr Geoff Nalder; Mr Graham Shields; and Mr David Thomas.

Media Contact: Mr John Crosby, DAFF Media +61 2 6272 3232