Acting Director-General of Agriculture confirmed

10/3/04
Agriculture Minister Kim Chance has confirmed the appointment of Ian Longson as Acting Director-General of the Department of Agriculture.
The appointment of Mr Longson, the current Deputy Director-General of the department, follows the resignation of Dr Graeme Robertson.
Dr Robertson last week took up a new position as Director of the Muresk Institute at Curtin University, after three decades at the Department of Agriculture.
Mr Longson has been Deputy Director-General of the department since 1998. During that time he has been executive director for policy and business services and previously, executive director of program co-ordination.
Prior to joining the department in 1995, Mr Longson was senior consultant and manager of the Perth office of ACIL Consulting (now ACIL Tasman).
"Mr Longson's mix of private and public sector experience includes the provision of business analyses and advisory services for agricultural, agribusiness and food processing businesses in Western Australia," Mr Chance said.
"He has also undertaken a wide range of economic and policy studies for Australian and international businesses and Government agencies."
Mr Longson has also worked for the Dairy Industry Authority of WA and the Asian Development Bank.
He is currently a board member of the Grain Licensing Authority and the Rural Business Development Corporation and a past board member of the Perth Market Authority.
He was national president of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, from 2000 to 2002 and president of the Australian Association of Agricultural Consultants (WA Inc.) from 1994 to 1995.
His qualifications include a bachelor degree in Agricultural Science from the University of WA and a master's degree in agricultural marketing from the University of Guelph in Canada.
Mr Longson said the department had an extensive work program in 2004 and he was looking forward to working with industry and staff to address the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Mr Chance said the Director-General's position would be advertised in the near future.
Minister's office: 9213 6700