GPA WELCOMES STEP-CHANGE ON ‘INDUSTRY GOOD’ CONSOLIDATION

Grain Producers Australia welcomes the long-term commitment made by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) to further consolidate ‘industry good’ functions, and ultimately boost returns to growers and industry, by improving efficiencies for delivery of essential grain trade and market access functions. 

GPA Chair, Barry Large, said GRDC’s announcement of a $12 million annual commitment, over the next decade, to support the continued consolidation of ‘industry good’ functions under Grains Australia, was a notable milestone which reflected GPA’s long-term strategy and actions, for Australian growers. 

“GPA recognises the significance of GRDC’s commitment, announced today, to streamline critical trade and market functions through the integration of Grains Australia and the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC) into a single entity working domestically and internationally across all grains,” he said. 

“This represents an increase of $4.2 million on the current annual spend by GRDC in ‘industry good’ functions, to bolster efficiencies and returns, in this critical area of our industry. Thanks to GRDC for delivering this important outcome that’s a genuine step forward, for industry consolidation.” 

GPA RD&E Spokesperson and Southern Director, Andrew Weidemann AM, said GPA has strongly supported the strategy to consolidate industry good functions, to ultimately boost efficiencies and returns to growers, and the delivery of shared benefits across the Australian grains industry and economic productivity. 

“These core benefits and outcomes are precisely why GPA has long backed the strategic discussions and decision-making which led to Grains Australia’s initial establishment, and ongoing implementation of more efficient and streamlined structures on market access and growth,” he said. 

“Removing duplication of these industry good functions will help strengthen the overall value and bottom line returns to growers. Such outcomes reflect GPA’s core strategic purpose and mission for growers. 

“We acknowledge GRDC’s announcement today of this latest move forward, to streamline critical trade and market functions, through the integration of Grains Australia Limited and AEGIC into a single entity. 

“This is a significant step forward in an ongoing journey of ‘industry good’ consolidation which GPA has been consistently engaged in advancing, recognising these shared strategic benefits and real returns to growers.” 

Mr Large said the integration of AEGIC under the Grains Australian banner, was a positive outcome which delivered genuine benefits for boosting the national grains industry’s future productivity; especially given the size and significance of Australian grains exports, to the national economy. 

“We welcome the opportunity to remain engaged with Grains Australia and GRDC to further strengthen these ‘industry good’ outcomes, and boost shared benefits to Australian growers and the economy,” he said. 

“We also recognise the role AEGIC has played during its duration and recognise the supported provided, by the WA Government over time.” 

GPA Chief Executive, Colin Bettles, said GRDC’s announcement today also reflected GPA’s core policy values and strategies, as detailed in GPA’s 2025 Federal Election Policy Priorities document. HERE 

“GPA remains committed to maintaining momentum on these policy priorities to optimise value and returns for growers, and other shared beneficiaries; especially to increase the grains industry’s economic performance, while boosting national productivity,” he said. 

“These policy values – especially ‘industry good’ outcomes – are also reflected in GPA’s submissions to the Federal Government’s Economic Reform Roundtable process, and to the Agricultural Productivity Roundtable which was hosted recently in Brisbane by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins, and the Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Anthony Chisholm.” 

GPA’s Policy Priorities document shows the Australian grains industry has grown significantly, contributing $81.15 billion in total gross value, (2022-24), at an annual average of about $27 billion. HERE This $27 billion represents almost double the industry’s value, prior to the last federal election ($13.8 billion in 2020-21). 

Mr Large said the grains industry’s strong economic performance showed there was current opportunity to further consider, and ultimately deliver, other step-changes to boost productivity and optimise returns in other fundamental ‘industry good’ areas and business practices, not only consolidated market access structures. 

“GPA looks forward to continuing this journey – including examining other ways to invest in better risk-management practices, in areas such as biosecurity protections, stronger supply chains and fit-for-purpose regulations – to boost national productivity, budget sustainability and economic resilience,” he said. 

GRDC’s announcement (HERE) said the integration of Grains Australia and AEGIC was designed to ‘focus on what matters to growers’. And it would also: ‘drive collaboration, improve co-ordination and deliver ongoing efficiencies across the key areas of classification, trade and market access, market information and insights, as well as innovation for the Australian grains sector’. 

GPA’s 2025 Federal Election Policy Priorities document highlights.  

1. Lower Farm Input Costs - Improve Local Supply/Manufacturing 

2. Access to Agricultural Pesticides (APVMA Reforms) 

3. Grains Industry Red & Green Tape – Regulatory Burden/Costs 

4. Improve Digital Connectivity and Reliability 

5. Grains Supply Chain – Reduced Freight Costs and Grain Market Access & Trade and Optimise Grain Market Competition - Pricing & Transparency 

6. Grain Producer Levies – Current Rates & Spending Priorities and Stronger Biosecurity Protections & Capacity and Taxation System Reforms/Opportunities 

ENDS 

Further Information: 

GPA Chair Barry Large 0427 549 023 

GPA RD&E Spokesperson and Southern Director Andrew Weidemann AM: 0428 504 544 

GPA Chief Executive Colin Bettles: 0439 901 970