NATIONAL organisation GrainGrowers has signed Memorandums of Understanding with Grain Producers SA and NSW Farmers.

Under the agreements, the organisations will share information, collaborate, and consult on national policy priorities to deliver a more coordinated advocacy approach.

The MoUs also provide GPSA and NSW Farmers a seat on GrainGrowers’ National Policy Group as observers, providing visibility of GrainGrowers’ policy-development frameworks.

The structure also means the organisations retain their own mandate, governance responsibilities and accountability to their members.

This includes the ability to advocate independently on an issue.

Rhys Turton.

In a joint statement released today, GrainGrowers chair and Western Australian grower Rhys Turton said the agreements come as growers faced some of the most challenging operating conditions in many years.

“The issues facing Australian grain growers are becoming more complex, from rising costs and regulation through to trade and market uncertainty,” Mr Turton said.

“By working together, we can amplify and increase our collective influence on the issues that matter most to help deliver better outcomes for growers.

“Each organisation already has an effective advocacy framework in place, but by working together on national issues we can have an even stronger impact.”

GPSA chair John Gladigau said the agreement would strengthen the collective voice of grain producers and South Australia’s influence on national advocacy.

“This partnership is about bringing together two respected grower organisations to achieve
more for South Australian grain producers,” Mr Gladigau said.

“GPSA brings trusted grower representation, policy and advocacy experience and a deep understanding of South Australia’s grains industry, while GrainGrowers brings significant
national expertise, relationships and reach.

“By working more closely together, we can build a clearer connection between the
priorities of South Australian grain producers and the national policy and advocacy
agenda.

“Ultimately, this is about combining our capabilities, speaking with greater weight where our priorities align and delivering better outcomes for grain producers.”

NSW Farmers vice president and southern NSW grower Justin Everitt said the agreement will create new opportunities for NSW grain growers to help shape and collaborate on national advocacy priorities.

“We know that agriculture is strongest when grower organisations can work constructively together, and this is a positive and exciting step toward more unified national advocacy,”
Mr Everitt said.

“Grain producers right across Australia want strong representation and meaningful outcomes on the issues impacting their business; this agreement helps deliver both.

“This partnership ensures the voices of NSW growers are heard and represented in national conversations, and we are looking forward to shared collaboration on the issues that matter to us all.”

Months in the making

GPSA in March announced its departure from Grain Producers Australia, when it became evident NSW Farmers was also planning to leave.

Following a decision by then Federal Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce in 2015, both GrainGrowers and GPA were endorsed as joint representative organisations for Australia’s broadacre farmers.

The arrangement appears to have become untenable in the eyes of some, and was recently criticised by outgoing Elders chief executive Mark Allison, who described the fragmented nature of agricultural representation as a “massive issue”.

GPA has been contacted for comment.