David Crawford appointed inaugural chairman of Export Grains Centre

September 7, 1998

Primary Industry Minister Monty House said the appointment of David Crawford as the inaugural chairman of the Export Grains Centre would bring outstanding business management and leaderships skills to the industry.

The Minister and the Council of Grain Grower Organizations (COGGO) announced the decision today.

The Export Grains Centre is a partnership between Agriculture Western Australia, Grains Research and Development Corporation, UWA, Murdoch University, CSIRO and COGGO.

Mr House said COGGO was providing additional support for crop breeding.

The centre would be dedicated to investing in crop improvement for growers and the WA community, and would co-ordinate crop breeding and the release of new varieties in WA.

"Mr Crawford is an excellent choice for the position. It is a coup for the Export Grains Centre to have attracted a person of such a high calibre," Mr House said.

"It is a significant appointment to an organisation that will have a leading role in the future of the Western Australian grains industry.

"David Crawford has been associated with the State's agricultural and mining industries in executive positions for more than 15 years, including three years as an Executive Director of Wesfarmers Rural.

"Mr Crawford has also served on the 1994 Agriculture Portfolio review and is a skilled negotiator."

COGGO chairman Bruce Piper said that at a time when multi-national biotechnology companies were looking closely at the Australian grains industry, it was vital that growers moved to protect their interests in germplasm and breeding of new varieties.

"By combining the strengths of the State's research organizations and the financial resources of Government and industry, the Export Grains Centre will be able to take a strong commercial position in negotiating on behalf of growers in the production and release of new transgenic grains," Mr Piper said.

"Funds contributed voluntarily by growers will be channelled into plant breeding and associated activitity through the Export Grains Centre. COGGO is providing growers with the opportunity to have a larger stake in plant breeding."

Mr House said that in an increasingly competitive environment, growers and the Coalition Government and research organisations would be working together to secure a strong future for Western Australia's $2 billion grains industry.

A director for the new centre was expected to be appointed shortly.

Media contacts: Julie Cole (08) 9481 2044

Deborah Pitter COGGO (08) 9442 3391