NGIA CEO update – 26 June 2017
Hi Everyone
As we close in on the end of another financial year, I would like to highlight some of the key areas of work that will be pursued in the 2017/18 financial year:
1. NGI Structure Review – Structural Change Advisory Committee (SCAC):
The first meeting of the SCAC was held on 19 June. The committee is made up of Karen Brock – NGIA Board, Glenn Fenton – Structure Review Committee member, Estelle Cornell – NGISA, Bruce Pike – NGINA and Peter Jong – NGISA
The role of the SCAC is to:
Investigate and report on the finances, systems, technology, governance, functions and roles of the proposed National Unity structure; independently and unbiasedly inform the Members of all relevant information; and seek the endorsement of the NGI Network to facilitate a vote of the Members on a proposed new structure of the Network.
As a result of the first meeting the Committee will focus on two areas primarily; (i) to assess the NGI Member benefits that must be maintained and (ii) to review the key elements and functions of the proposed National Unity Model to ensure those member benefits are delivered.
The Committee will engage with each of the State NGI Association Boards to understand and address any of their and their members’ concerns with the proposed National Unity Model. A preliminary report will be developed by November this year with the final report to be presented at the NGIA National Conference in Hobart in February 2018.
2. Nursery Industry Strategic Investment Plan (SIP):
The Nursery Industry SIP has been finalised and released by Hort Innovation. It will provide guidance for the investment of the nursery industry pot levy research and development (R&D) and marketing funds for the next five years. The investment of the funds will focus on achieving five outcomes:
i. Increased demand and sales of green life products by 4% +CPI per year
ii. Increases marketing effectiveness and efficiency and better decision making based on increased industry knowledge
iii. Improved industry protection from exotic, emerging and endemic pests and diseases
iv. Improved productivity, profitability and professionalism through the creation and adoption of innovation and industry best management practices
v. Better career development
If you have any thoughts, concepts, brainwaves, ideas, notions or inspiration for the investment of the levy funds then they can be provided in a number of ways:
· Through your NGI Association
· Through the Nursery Industry Strategic Investment Advisory Panel (SIAP) whose members are: Mike Mehigan, Anthony Tesselaar, Sonja Cameron, John Bunker, Ken Bevan, Carole Fudge, Todd Layt, Hamish Mitchell and I
· Through the Hort Innovation concept proposal form – http://edms.horticulture.com.au/Forms/ConceptFormV2
Innovation will drive invention and improvement that will help maintain productive, resilient, sustainable and profitable nursery businesses and the industry.
3. Nursery Production Farm Management System Programs:
The Governance Committee for the Nursery Production FMS met last week to assess current progress with the delivery of the programs and to provide guidance on the areas of marketing and auditing in particular. NGIA will now progress further and implement the marketing, promotion, auditing and other administrative activities for the remainder of 2017.
For more information on the Nursery Production FMS program as a continuing business or a business looking to become involved please refer to the website: www.nurseryproductionfms.com.au
4. NGIA Conference – February 2019:
Planning is progressing well for the NGIA Conference to be held in Hobart from 19 – 22 February 2018. Please mark the dates in your diary. More details will be provided as soon as they are available.
As usual please contact me [email protected] you have any questions, comments or concerns on the operation of NGIA and any feedback on this edition of the NNN email.
Kind regards
Peter Vaughan
NGIA CEO
Post Script – GM Petunias:
A reminder that the NGIA has been in contact with the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) on the issue of genetically modifies petunias in Australia. You, as a nursery industry representative, may have been contacted by your suppliers/distributors of plants or genetic material about unauthorised genetically modified (GM) petunias entering the Australian market. The OGTR is advising the following:
Disposal of genetically modified petunias in Australia
The Gene Technology Regulator (the Regulator) has become aware that unauthorised genetically modified (GM) petunias have entered the Australian and international markets. Although an OGTR assessment has found that these GM petunias do not pose a risk, they have not been approved for commercial release in Australia and therefore must not be marketed.
Petunia plants are unlikely to survive without human help. The GM petunias can be left to die naturally. If you don’t want to wait for them to die naturally the Regulator has provided the following instructions for the disposal of GM petunias and their seeds.
Live GM petunia plants – any method of disposal including:
· Application of a herbicide that is effective in killing Petunia plants;
· Uprooting;
· Desiccation;
· Incineration; or
· Any method expected by a person growing Petunia to kill Petunia plants.
Viable GM petunia seeds – any of the following methods of disposal:
· Incineration;
· Autoclaving;
· Boiling in water for at least 20 minutes;
· Heating, for instance in an oven, to a temperature of at least 150°C for at least 30 minutes;
· Microwaving at a power of at least 800W for at least 10 minutes; or
· Deep burial at biosecurity waste class 8.2 site approved by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.
More information, including a factsheet about the GM petunias and the Regulator’s risk assessment is available on the OGTR website.
Please contact me of the OGTR on 1800 181 030 if you would like to discuss this matter.