Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins addresses AGIC 2026.

THE AUSTRALIAN grains industry is uniting to contest limitations on phosphine use proposed by the Federal Government and scheduled to come into effect ahead of this year’s winter-crop harvest.

In his first address as Grain Trade Australia chair to the annual Australian Grain Industry Conference, which kicked off today, Ole Houe revealed the extent of lobbying GTA is spearheading to bring about a workable solution.

“It might seem strange that we as an industry…push back on the new rules which were made particularly with the aim to protect workers,” Mr Houe told the forum, which has brought around 700 delegates from Australia and beyond to Melbourne’s Crown Promenade.

Ole Houe addresses AGIC Australia for the first time as GTA’s chair.

He said the industry, which provides “a given for all us” that work can be performed safely throughout the supply chain, sees only productivity losses without a safety improvement from the proposed changes to use of phosphine, a key industry fumigant.

“We don’t think these rules provide any meaningful…protection for workers and, in addition, we can see that these rules are almost impossible to comply with and to measure locally on site.

“If the rules get put into force, we will see significant negative productivity impact on grain production, on grain storage, on grain export.

And while GrainGrowers and Grain Producers Australia as the nation’s representative organisations may be jostling at state level for grower endorsement, it seems they have come together with others to challenge impending changes to phosphine use.

“GTA is leading the work in this area and is strongly supported by GrainGrowers, Grain Producers Australia and several other organisations and individual GTA members.

“We are working collaboratively with industry, we’re engaging with state governments and the Federal Government, and we’re trying to provide a practical evidence-based outcome.”

GTA, which along with the Australian Oilseeds Federation, hosts AGIC Australia, has recently employed Erik Anderson to co-ordinate the response to the phosphine issue, which Mr Houe said was incorporating “significant research and investment” from the Grains Research and Development Corporation.

Aside from the phosphine issue, Mr Houe was decidedly upbeat around the ability of the Australian grain industry to evolve, and show the kind of mettle that makes Thriving Today, Resilient Tomorrow an apt theme for AGIC Australia 2026 event.

However, he did acknowledge rising input costs as impacting GTA members as well as farmers, and support from the Federal Government in providing the Fuel and Fertiliser Security Facility to help counter them in the face of the US-Iran war.

Minister launches GSMAS

In her in-person address to AGIC this morning, Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins said Australia’s grain industry continues to navigate a complex global environment.

This includes geopolitical instability, trade pressures, climate variability, and changing market expectations.

“From the war in the Middle East, tariff and non-tariff barriers, and shifting international trading arrangements, the pressures on global agriculture remain significant,” Ms Collins said.

“Despite these challenges, Australia’s grain industry continues to demonstrate extraordinary resilience and strength.”

Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins addresses AGIC 2026.

Ms Collins used her visit to AGIC 2026 to launch the Grain Storage Assets and Management Standard Scheme, developed by GTA in partnership with the Federal Government, and in place since July 1.

“The GSAMS Scheme is an excellent example of government and industry working together to deliver practical improvements across the export supply chain.”

In a statement, GTA described GSAMS as a new alternative pathway to strengthen Australia’s grain storage and quality assurance framework.

It aligns with GTA’s Australian Grain Industry Code of Practice and provides a consistent approach to grain storage and management across the domestic and export supply chain.

GTA said GSAMS has been designed to strengthen confidence in grain quality, food safety and phytosanitary outcomes, supporting Australia’s reputation as a reliable supplier of safe and high-quality grain.

It also provides an alternative pathway for demonstrating compliance with importing-country and export requirements, while maintaining existing regulatory assurance standards.

A pilot program conducted between November 2022 and April 2023 informed the development of the GSAMS and its regulatory approach following onsite and virtual assessments.

GSAMS is available to Australian grain industry participants, including export-registered establishments and domestic operators, as a voluntary standard supporting improved consistency and accountability across grain storage systems.

Week of wonders

AGIC 2026 is the first to encompass a five-day program which has provided co-ordinated activities for international delegates, including a trip to a farm and research facilities at Horsham in Victoria’s Wimmera district, and a further field trip to the Port of Geelong on Friday.

Guangdong Haid Group’s Yami Huang and Grains Australia’s Mary Raynes.

The program has enabled visitors from countries including Indonesia, The Philippines, Pakistan, Vietnam, and China to see the Australian supply chain from farm to port.

Guangdong Haid Group has a total of 600 feedmills in China and beyond, and its representative Yami Huang said the experience has given her new insights into the Australian grain industry through her first attendance at AGIC Australia.

“This week is perfect for us,” Ms Huang said.

“The technology the farmer is using is very exciting to us…and we get to see just what they are growing.”

Pinion Advisory’s Chelsea Kenewell, Freeling, SA, with Toowoomba, Qld, delegates Isabelle McDouall, AGT Foods, and Kyla Davie, CHS Broadbent.

Lachstock Consulting’s Matt Miller (far left) and Dougal Grieve (far right) with Australian Country Choice’s Brad Taylor, Toowoomba, and Ararat-based Excel Farms’ Aaron Charles, Vic.

NSW traders Robert Quinn of Stewart Grain and Robinson Grain’s Jock Benham.

Sage World is a first-time exhibitor at AGIC 2026, and on hand to field queries about its grain analysis capabilities are executive director Justin Daly, managing director Ashley Fraser and Rhino CEO Johan Van Asbrouck, with senior technology manager Boong Thana-in at front.

DAFF crops section assistant director Simon Foster with GRDC managing director Nigel Hart.

Gavin Barnett, consultant to PB Seeds at Horsham, talks packaging options with Aurora’s technical sales engineer Brent Hoyle (right), who said the company in Hamilton, NZ, was fielding inquiry for company’s looking for labour-saving solutions.

GTA’s Erik Anderson, GrainCorp trader Cameron Pratt and Mauri head of risk Erin Burns.

Grain Brokers Australia’s Jeff Winspear, WA, and Eyre Peninsula Integrated Commodities principal Steve Whillas, SA.

WAFarmers Grains Council president Mark Fowler and Grain Industry Association of WA executive officer Peter Nash.

Cowra-based Ellis & Sons exhibitor Sarah Ellis talks shop with Global Sealing Group’s Paul Casey from Perth.

Octopusbot co-founders Rodrigo Cortes and Carolina Ferreira with Aditi UVG trader Harshad Kale (centre).

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