At front and about to sign the MoU are Grains Australia CEO Richard Simonaitis, Academy of NAFRA President Tan Bengang and AEGIC executive general manager Courtney Draper. Photo: Academy of NAFRA

GRAINS Australia, the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre, and China’s Academy of National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at supporting positive collaboration between the Australian and Chinese grains industries.

Signed this week in Beijing, the collaboration will also foster new areas of research which will benefit both countries.

An aim of the MoU, which builds on existing positive relationships between the organisations, is to encourage the exchange of grain quality, safety and processing knowledge and expertise.

It will also examine co-operative research opportunities to identify blending options for Chinese and Australian wheat and/or flour, and new methods for wheat-quality evaluation and grain processing.

The MoU will explore collaborative nutritional, healthy and functional food market opportunities, such as those related to whole grain food products.

Grains Australia and AEGIC work together to drive better outcomes for Australian grain growers, with AEGIC being a delivery partner for Grains Australia’s market insights and education services.

AEGIC will deliver some of the activities outlined in the MoU, on behalf of Grains Australia, which is itself an initiative of the Grains Research and Development Corporation.

Grains Australia chief executive officer Richard Simonaitis said the agreement represented a shared commitment to cooperate on mutually beneficial areas of research.

“The agreement reaffirms Grains Australia’s dedication to fostering strong and mutually beneficial relationships and opportunities with China, which is a significant and valued grain trading partner,” Mr Simonaitis said.

AEGIC executive general manager Courtney Draper said the agreement consolidated a long-standing, valued relationship between AEGIC and the Academy of NAFRA and its scientists.

“The MoU builds on already-established trust and mutual respect between the organisations and has highlighted valuable new areas on which we intend to work together,” Ms Draper said.

The primary focus of the not-for-profit Academy of NAFRA is on ensuring national food security, promoting the development of the food circulation industry and addressing scientific and technological issues related to food and strategic reserves.

Academy of NAFRA president Tan Bengang said the MoU would bring positive outcomes for all organisations involved and the Australian and Chinese grains industries.

“The agreement will enhance the personnel knowledge exchange and strengthen the cooperation on food science and technology among the three parties,” Mr Bengang said.

Source: Grains Australia