Australia
November 28, 2008
Two leading cotton industry
organisations have merged in what ushers in an exciting new
period for the cotton growing industry.
Cotton Australia
and the Australian Cotton
Growers Research Association (ACGRA) officially joined
forces in Narrabri today in an effort to better provide advice
and direction on research, policy and best practice on behalf of
Australia’s cotton growers.
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Cotton Australia Chair Joanne Grainger, with three of
the four new Cotton Australia directors (L-R) Andrew
Parkes, Cleave Rogan and Ben Stephens (Bob Dall’Alba not
present) |
Members of the newly merged Cotton
Australia organisation approved a new constitution and
established a new company at an extraordinary general meeting.
Joining the existing eight Cotton Australia Directors will be
former members of the ACGRA Executive: Bob Dall’Alba, Andrew
Parkes, Cleave Rogan and Ben Stephens. Current Cotton Australia,
Joanne Grainger, remains Chair of the new Cotton Australia
entity.
“Following months of industry consultation it became clear that
we had the full support of our members to merge the two
organisations and reform cotton grower representation in
Australia. Merging the two bodies has many advantages including
better linking R&D to policy development, avoiding duplication
and taking advantage of the many synergies between the two
bodies,” Cotton Australia Chair, Ms Grainger said.
“I also welcome the four new appointees to the Cotton Australia
Board and acknowledge the great experience they will bring to
the new organisation. This truly is a step in the right
direction and we believe the new company will be better able to
service growers and represent their interests,” Ms Grainger
said.
Immediate past Chair of the ACGRA, Mr Ben Stephens outlined that
although the cotton industry has been well served under the
previous structure for almost 40 years, now was the time for
change.
“The ACGRA and Cotton Australia understood the need for a more
effective and efficient grower based representative structure,
empowered to determine and drive the industry’s strategic
direction, retaining our strong focus on R&D, promoting the
value of the industry, reporting on the industry’s environmental
credibility and implementing policy objectives in consultation
with stakeholders,” Mr Stephens said.
The first item on the agenda for the new Cotton Australia will
be the development of a strategic plan with all members being
canvassed for input over the next month.
Other news
from the
Australian Cotton Growers Research Association |
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