17 February 2012

This media release has been distributed for the Australian Sugar Industry Alliance

Sugarcane growers and everyone interested in a strong future for the sugar industry are being urged to attend meetings in their local district in March to learn more about reforms underway for research in the Australian sugar industry including local approaches to extension and services.

 

More than a thousand growers and others are expected to attend the 15 industry meetings across all regions. "We would to hope to see even double that number", Steve Greenwood CANEGROWERS CEO said today. "CANEGROWERS is rallying its members to ensure they don’t miss out on these important information meetings about changes vitally important to the future of the industry." 

 

The first 'New Era for Sugar RD&E' industry meeting will be in Mareeba in far North Queensland on 12 March, then the Mossman area, and meetings in Gordonvale, Innisfail, Tully and Ingham on the following days. Then Burdekin, Proserpine, Mackay and Sarina in the week beginning 19 March, and Bundaberg, Childers, Maryborough, Woongoolba and Ballina over 26 to 29 March.

 

Australian sugar industry leaders will address each meeting, and local speakers will also talk about the changes. Sugarcane growers, millers, productivity services and all other industry stakeholders are being invited to attend. These meetings mark the next phase in the ongoing communication and consultation program. All growers will also receive an invitation through the post in the next weeks.

 

"This Sugar RD&E reform package is about strengthening sugar R&D performance, managing costs and growers and millers agreeing to fund RD&E equally", Australian Sugar Milling Council (ASMC) CEO Dominic Nolan said. "The reforms will equip our industry with the right level of R&D investment, rising to $21 million in 2013-14. These 15 local industry meetings will focus on the why and how of the changes, and what industry participants will see."

 

Information will be available on the new Professional Extension and Communications approach and on the Sugar Advisory Services Development Program, as well as outlining the planned new single industry research organisation, Sugar Research Australia that will allow grower and miller funds to be used more effectively, maximise government contributions and deliver research performance better aligned to sugar industry priorities.

 

"Extension and local advisory services are vital to making R&D useful. The new system will provide opportunities for different approaches to extension delivery – with each area moving towards a locally specific model suited to the unique needs of their area," Steve Greenwood said. "There will be plenty of time in each meeting for questions, and for discussions after the speaker sessions."

 

The Sugar RD&E Reform package was endorsed by CANEGROWERS and ASMC through the Australian Sugar Industry Alliance in October 2011. These organisations have wide membership and together represent over 90% of Australian sugar industry stakeholders.

 

The full schedule for industry meetings and contacts for further information follow.

 

 

Steve Greenwood, CEO, CANEGROWERS, 0488 721 156

Dominic Nolan, CEO, ASMC, 0419 287 734