Grain Producers Australia (GPA) welcomes the announcement by the Federal Government today to prioritise migration for key sectors including agriculture, although it is cautious about the broader impact on the upcoming harvest. During his presentation to the National Press Club today in relation to the Government's overhaul of the migration system, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed that he will update a ministerial direction to prioritise migrants who have skills Aust

Grain growers are being urged to review their biosecurity arrangements because a bird flu outbreak could disrupt truck movements and grain deliveries to poultry farms. Speaking with Narelle Graham on ABC Radio South Australia, GPA Chair Matthew Madden explained the connections between grain production, livestock industries and transport. “A written biosecurity plan is one of the most useful places to start,” Mr Madden said. He encouraged growers to use the Grains Farm Biosecu

By Grain Producers Australia Chair Matthew Madden The detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in wild seabirds in Australia has understandably placed the poultry industry on alert, but the implications extend much further across agriculture. While there have been no detections in Australian poultry production systems or the broader livestock industries, the presence of H5N1 in wild birds is a reminder of how closely connected our production systems are and why eve

Countryman reported opposition from grain industry organisations to a Senate inquiry into the APVMA’s paraquat decision, with GPA stressing the need to respect the regulator’s independence. RD&E spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said the industry respected the APVMA’s authority despite disagreeing with parts of its June determination. “We cannot support the integrity and independence of that system only when it delivers the outcome we want,” he said. Mr Weidemann questioned what

Bird flu is drawing attention to biosecurity across Australian agriculture, but the risks grain producers manage extend beyond any one disease or sector. New Grain Producers Australia (GPA) Independent Director Kristy McSweeney discussed what bird flu could mean for grain growers, particularly those with dams, wetlands and mixed farming operations in an interview with News24. She also spoke about the continuing cost of mouse damage and the work underway to help growers manage

A Senate inquiry into the APVMA’s paraquat decision has raised concerns about the regulator’s independence, GPA RD&E spokesperson Andrew Weidemann told ABC SA Country Hour. Speaking with Selina Green, Mr Weidemann said stakeholders had already had the opportunity to submit scientific evidence during the regulatory review. “This is really just going back over old ground,” he said. He questioned the implications for future chemical decisions if Parliament sought to override tha

GPA RD&E spokesperson Andrew Weidemann has questioned the Coalition’s support for a Senate inquiry into the APVMA’s paraquat decision, telling Country Today’s Libby Price that stakeholders had already had the opportunity to present evidence during the regulator’s review. “I think they need to really be quite clear about what their objectives are in this process,” Mr Weidemann said. The Wimmera grower warned of wider implications if other chemical decisions were also revisited

Grain Producers Australia has called for the Senate paraquat inquiry to identify what evidence or regulatory failing warrants revisiting the APVMA’s completed review, Grain Central reported. GPA RD&E spokesperson Andrew Weidemann warned that political pressure on chemical decisions could have implications across agriculture, despite growers disagreeing with some new restrictions. “We cannot support the integrity and independence of that system only when it delivers the outcom

Farm Online reported grower frustration over the Senate’s decision to revisit paraquat regulation, with WAFarmers questioning political involvement and GPA defending the APVMA’s independent assessment. Andrew Weidemann, Grain Producers Australia’s RD&E spokesperson, acknowledged that new restrictions would create practical challenges but said the industry respected the regulator’s scientific process. “We cannot support the integrity and independence of that system only when i

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) questions the Senate’s decision to launch an inquiry into the continued use and regulation of paraquat less than three months after the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) completed its extensive scientific review of the chemical. GPA Research, Development and Extension spokesperson Andrew Weidemann said the grains industry did not agree with every restriction imposed through the final decision, but respected the AP

Grain producers are invited to join an online question and answer session examining global grain markets, price movements and the factors to consider when making grain marketing decisions. GPA Deputy Chair and South Australian grain producer Mark Schilling will be joined by Andrew Whitelaw from Episode 3 for a practical discussion about what is happening across international markets and what it could mean for Australian growers. The session will look at the global factors inf

Western Australia should follow Victoria’s three-year deferral of tighter phosphine exposure limits, GPA Chair Matthew Madden told Countryman, describing the decision as a “sensible response”. The report outlined concerns that changes scheduled for 1 December could disrupt fumigation and grain exports during harvest, with CBH also seeking more time. Grain Producers Australia is working with Grain Trade Australia and other organisations on a practical, measurable and nationall