Welcome to the 2007 Australian Vegetable Industry Conference!
The last 12 months have been a whirlwind of activity for the industry, and we have grown tremendously since the last conference in Brisbane. Hence it is a delight to welcome you to Sydney for what will be another landmark industry event.
This year’s conference theme, ‘Vegetables Claim Centre Plate’ puts forward an exciting challenge for the industry – to reclaim our rightful position as a consumer priority. What does the consumer really want, and what can we, as an industry, do to ensure that our products fulfil consumer needs and desires?
This year’s conference program addresses these questions by asking industry to think creatively, and aspire to capture the imagination of consumers. We will explore the number one issues that challenge our industry: water shortages, declining terms of trade, and rising threats from foreign imports, and look at ways that our industry can turn these issues into opportunities, and use them to truly ‘claim centre plate’ in the eyes of the consumer.
The vegetable industry recognises the outstanding efforts of the whole of supply chain in its journey over the last 12 months, and therefore it is with great pleasure that we offer a platform to all key industry players – growers, researchers, supply chain partners, government, and all other industry stakeholders – to present, and represent, their investment in the vegetable industry.
Recognition of this investment is the vital to future success, and the Australian Vegetable Industry Awards are one way of rewarding those who have contributed significantly to industry. This year’s awards, which will be presented at the Gala Dinner, are an acknowledgement of the excellence and innovation which defines our industry, both today, and into the future. To help us celebrate, I am pleased to confirm attendance of The Hon Peter McGauran MP, Ministers for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, at the Gala Dinner.
Despite the challenges of the past year, the 2007 Australian Vegetable Industry Conference has brought unity to the vegetable industry. The 2007 conference welcomes participation from all vegetable industry sectors – general vegetables, fresh and processed potatoes, onions, organics, hydroponics and Asian vegetables – and we are delighted to present industry with the opportunity to share ideas and develop an understanding of the issues we face – together.
Thank you for your support of the industry, and I hope you enjoy yourselves at the 2007 Australian Vegetable Industry Conference in Sydney!
Mike Badcock
Chair, AUSVEG Ltd
We welcome all growers and other stakeholders and know that this will be a great opportunity for all to come together and experience the vast amount of knowledge and expertise from not only the keynote speakers, but also the researchers, who put so much of their time and effort into safeguarding the future of our industries.
Water has been on everyone’s mind again this year. As part of the ‘Onion’ Innovation and R&D showcase, we are pleased to have Dr Anne-Maree Boland giving a presentation on water trends.
As an industry we developed our strategic plan 2006-2015 which highlighted the need to involve all generations. We warmly welcome the up and coming growers and stakeholders and look forward to sharing ideas together!
Again welcome and enjoy.
Steve Rathjen
Chairperson, Onions Australia
Organising Committee
