At the instigation of AgForce Grains, a recent meeting of interested state farming organisation delegates canvassed a new pathway to secure future grains industry representation at a national level.
National grains representation has fractured in recent years as a casualty of the politics surrounding wheat marketing arrangements.
This in turn led to an announcement by the Grains Council of Australia board that GCA would begin winding up from July 1 in the absence of a suitable funding arrangement.
AgForce Grains president Lyndon Pfeffer said the Brisbane meeting confirmed there is strong and positive willingness to restore and enhance grains representation at a national level.
"All parties now need to move forward with goodwill and a vision for the future, leaving behind the baggage of the past," Mr Pfeffer said.
In other meetings this week, AgForce Grains also met with National Farmers’ Federation president David Crombie and Grain Growers Association chairman John Eastburn.
"AgForce is consulting widely amongst representative groups across Australia and both NFF and GGA have an interest in the future of representation for all grain growers in Australia," Mr Pfeffer said.
"All groups understand the need to maintain a strong and united, national advocacy vehicle at a time when huge issues such as climate change, carbon trading, biosecurity, trade, infrastructure shortages, supply-chain management, and research and development investment are affecting our industry.
"We don’t expect that it will be an easy process but it is important that national unity is achieved.
"Whether the industry moves forward through GCA or another body, there will be many issues to overcome to ensure growers remain strongly represented at a national level."
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