The Grains Council of Australia announced today that a series of regional forums in five States, beginning this month, would begin the process of practical implementation of the “Single Vision” Grains Industry Strategy.

The Strategy was launched by the Grains Council on behalf of its members, AgForce, NSW Farmers, VFF, SAFF and WAFF at Grains Week in Perth in March.

GCA President, Keith Perrett, said today the forums would seek feedback and practical solutions to the challenges posed by projections that demand for Australian marketed grain could realistically double and possibly increase up to five times by 2025.

“It’s time to talk to the people who have a critical role in realising the potential of the industry in Australia – the producers themselves. We’ll be asking them specific questions during the forums about what steps need to be taken to increase economic sustainability”, Mr Perrett said.

“We have an industry that is increasingly having to react to consumer demand – both within Australia and on the export scene. Any response to the increase in demand has to be a whole value chain response. The Single Vision research covered all areas of the value chain, including input from producers, but now the strategy has been developed we what to take it back to producers to get their input on the final product.”

“GCA has attracted some criticism for wanting to take the strategy back to producers to get their input before we press ahead with implementing it. I just cant understand why anyone would not want us to consult with grain producers over such an important industry development strategy”.

“The objectives of the Single Vision strategy are aimed squarely at capturing a greater share of the ‘grain dollar’ for producers, from the current 19% to a minimum of 25%. We want to see a more economically and environmentally sustainable industry generating wealth to build prosperous and vibrant rural communities” Mr Perrett said.

“The forums will be hosted by GCA’s State member bodies in South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria”, he said.

“Every grain producer in the country will shortly receive an invitation to participate in the forums. There is a huge body of expertise, skill and enthusiasm in our industry. The forums will be designed to tap into those elements to formulate a new ‘master plan’ for the development of our industry over the next two decades”.

“Information about the forums will be available from GCA state partner grain sections and from the following web sites www.singlevision.com.au and www.grainscouncil.com or by emailing on gca@grainscouncil.com or faxing the GCA on 02 62733756”.

The “Single Vision” Regional Forums schedule is as follows: