Grains Australia establishes Oilseed Council

Grains Australia has appointed 11 industry representatives from across Australia’s oilseed supply chain to its first Oilseed Council.

The council will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of classification frameworks for Australian oilseed crops and providing expertise and advice in identifying oilseed trade and market access priorities, and requirements for market information and market education relevant to oilseeds.

The council will join Grains Australia’s existing commodity councils for barley, wheat, oats, and pulses, as well as the Grains Market Access Council.

The following council members have been appointed for a period of three years:

• Andrew Freebairn: Glencore trader, Vic;
• Dan Morgan: Cargill crush trader and commercial manager, Vic;
• Grant Pontifex: Paskeville and Kangaroo Island grower, SA;
• Jared Meredith: CBH Group canola trading manager, WA;
• Jon Slee: Alba Edible Oils general manager, WA;
• Lachlan Herbert: Grower and Lachstock Consulting markets advisor, NSW;
• Luke Strudwick: ADM trading manager, SA;
• Maryann Salvetti: Grower and Soy Australia char, Qld;
• Michael Lamond: SLR Agriculture agronomist and consultant, WA;
• Rob Hall: Corteva Australia and New Zealand seeds and traits leader, Victoria; and,
• Tom Mac Smith: MSM Milling business manager, NSW.

Grains Australia chief executive officer Richard Simonaitis said there was a significant response from industry participants to Grains Australia’s expressions-of-interest process for the council.

“Selections were based on applicants’ skills, experience and the diversity of the group,” Mr Simonaitis said.

“The new council collectively brings a broad range of skills and background across the industry.”

The commodity councils represent specific commodities and provide strategic advice to the Grains Australia Board.

Grains Australia, an initiative of the Grains Research and Development Corporation, is responsible for vital industry services and functions that improve the industry’s competitiveness and profitability.

The EOI process and selection of the Oilseed Council members was carried out with the support of the Australian Oilseed Federation, with which Grains Australia has a Memorandum of Understanding.

Tags: Australia, oilseed crops, Grains Australia, Oilseed Council