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New appointments to grains biosecurity committee

Released on

Released on:
Friday, 12. April 2019 - 14:45

A new chairperson and two new members have been appointed to the industry-based management committee that oversees the Western Australian grains, seeds and hay industry’s biosecurity funding scheme.

Anne Wilkins and Rod Birch will join Ron Creagh, Drew Mutter and Suzanne Woods as members of the Grains, Seeds and Hay Industry Funding Scheme Management Committee. Rohan Day has been appointed as chair after almost three years as a member.

Mr Day, a grain farmer based south-east of Merredin, said he looked forward to working with the committee to ensure the scheme delivered value to the WA grains, seeds and hay industry.

“With biosecurity risks to the WA industry increasing, the importance of the scheme is becoming more apparent within the industry,” Dr Day said.

“A key goal over the coming months is to make sure that the scheme is working for WA growers.”

The Grains, Seeds and Hay Industry Funding Scheme (IFS) was established in 2010 to enable WA growers to raise funds for programs that address the industry’s priority pests and diseases.

The scheme raises approximately $4 million per year, with the funds currently used to support the eradication of three-horned bedstraw from the State and control the spread of skeleton weed.

Mrs Wilkins, who farms at Badgingarra, and Mr Birch, the Managing Director of Catalina Farms in Coorow, have extensive experience in the industry and are welcomed additions to the Committee.

More than 99 per cent of the WA industry participates in the IFS, indicating the value of the scheme to growers. Mrs Wilkins and Mr Birch are looking forward to being part of a Committee that is guided by the industry to invest grower funds where they are most needed.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development provides executive support to the IFS Management Committee.

More information is available from the department website agric.wa.gov.au

Grains, Seeds and Hay Industry Funding Scheme Management Committee
Newly appointed Grains, Seeds and Hay Industry Funding Scheme Management Committee Chair Rohan Day, and members Anne Wilkins and Rod Birch.

 

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