Michael Worthington to chair Horticulture Partnership Group

22/9/97

Primary Industry Minister Monty House today announced the appointment of Michael Worthington as the new chairman of the Industry Partnership Group guiding Agriculture Western Australia's activities in horticulture.

Mr House said Mr Worthington would make a major contribution to the Horticulture Partnership Group through extensive knowledge acquired as a producer, processor and marketer of a wide range of fresh and processed fruit and vegetable products.

"Mr Worthington brings to the position experience in the export markets of South East Asia, Japan and the United Kingdom, and a widespread knowledge of the horticultural industries in the United States and southern Africa," the Minister said.

Mr House said Mr Worthington was currently working in the wine industry. He had held positions in Government, industry and commercial organisations related to the export of fresh produce and food products.

The chairman's position became vacant after the resignation earlier this year of Ed Hudson, who was pursuing career opportunities overseas.

The Minister said the Horticulture Partnership Group provided valuable links between Agriculture Western Australia and the various sectors of the horticulture industry and set the strategic direction for government support for horticulture.

The rapidly growing horticulture industry was supported in this year's budget with the provision of an additional $1.0 million to Agriculture Western Australia's Horticulture Program. This brought the total investment in horticulture from Agriculture Western Australia and its industry partners to almost $10 million .

Mr House said the increased funding would be used to support the State's horticultural industries through the provision of increased on-the-ground activities in the regions, increased export market development and targeted research and development.

"This will include increased investment in the State's floriculture industry, increased viticulture industry support in the South Coast area, and export market development focused on South East Asia," he said.

"In addition, Agriculture Western Australia's horticulture program will continue to improve the quality of technical and market information to the industry."

The Minister also announced the appointment of Diane Fry to the Horticulture Partnership Group following the resignation of Joe Martella.

Mr House said that Mrs Fry operated an apple orchard in Manjimup and was involved in the Manjimup Orchard Improvement Group and the Manjimup Fruit Growers' Association. She was a member of a Water and Rivers Commission advisory committee and secretary of the Manjimup Land Conservation District Committee.

"Mrs Fry was the South-West delegate on the Apple and Pear Council of the WA Fruit Growers Association, and the State's delegate on the Australian Apple and Pear Association," the Minister said.

Mr House said Mrs Fry's work on the national scene also involved representing WA on the National Strategic Planning Group for the Pome Industry and the Domestic Apple Marketing Forum.

Media contact: Nicole Trigwell (08) 9481 2044