AUSTRALIA’S trade relationship with India is moving forward, despite this key market for Australian pulses being temporarily closed due to internal market controls.

Steve Ciobo

That was the message from Federal Minister for Trade, Steve Ciobo, in his opening address to the two-day Australian Grains Industry Conference (AGIC) 2018, which kicked off this morning in Melbourne.

Under the banner of AGIC’s title, ‘The Dragon, The Eagle, The Bear…The Kangaroo?’, the conference program is providing a forum into Australia’s grain-based relationship with emerging and established trading partners, including India.

Mr Ciobo said a Free Trade Agreement with India would only be possible if it delivered bilateral gains.

“Until we’re able to get a substantial improvement offer from India, it’s going to be difficult to negotiate in a meaningful way,” he said.

“They’re at the table. We’re having discussions.

“I haven’t given up on any measure in the bilateral deal.”

He said an independent report on how to build relationships between Australia and India out to 2035, and the establishment of the Australia-India Food Partnership, were driving the progress.

Mr Ciobo told the 800 delegates from around Australia and international visitors the grains industry was a key part of Australia’s success as a great trading nation.

Also in AGIC’s opening proceedings, outgoing Grain Trade Australia chairman (GTA) Peter Reading announced GTA director and Grain Link WA managing director Andrew Goyder as his successor.

Watch the conference streaming live online here.  Conference sessions will be available to download later.  Go to the conference website, then to the AGIC Australia tab, and then to the presentations tab to watch the Youtube of each session later in the day.

National Working Party on Grain Protection chair Gerard McMullen of McMullen Consulting, Melbourne, Rimfire Resources managing director, Mick Hay, Brisbane, and Grains Research and Development Corporation chairman, John Woods, Boggabilla.

EP Integrated Commodities principal Steve Whillas, Kimba, Grain Growers Ltd chairman and National Farmers’ Federation director John Eastburn, and Canberra-based consultant and head of Industry Good group, Brian Ramsay.

Primary Industries and Resources South Australia grain account manager Dave Lewis, Viterra commercial relations and quality manager Andrew Hannon, and Viterra communications manager Jane McBride.

Delegates from Wagga Wagga, Grainline sales manager Stephen Doven and consultant Peter McMahon.

Agridigital sales executive Henry McKay, Clear Grain Exchange managing director Nathan Cattle, Clear Grain Exchange business development manager Hugh Peters, and Agridigital director Ben Reid.

AGIC delegates from Dalby, NAB regional and agribusiness manager Gavin Pontin and Deacon Seeds Company principal Terry Deacon.

Grain Central team doing a selfie on its way to AGIC 2018 in Melbourne, editor Neil Lyon, commodities editor Henry Wells, journalist Liz Wells.

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