Carinata is a non-food cover crop which could be used for lower carbon biofuel feedstock. Source: Nufarm
GRAINS Australia is calling for expressions of interest from those wishing to join its inaugural Oilseed Council.
It will sit alongside the industry-good organisation’s existing wheat, barley, oats, pulse, and market-access councils, and the Australian Oilseeds Federation, with which Grains Australia has a memorandum of understanding.
AOF chief executive Nick Goddard said an aspect of the MOU was that AOF would act as an oilseeds council, but Grains Australia has decided a council representing Australia’s oilseeds sector is needed.
“They’ve made sure AOF is involved, and the council…will be going ahead hand in glove with AOF,” Mr Goddard said.
“The remit of Grains Australia is clear around classification, and trade and market access, and we’ve been making sure we’re not duplicating.”
The EOI process and selection of the Oilseed Council members is being carried out with the support of the AOF.
Mr Goddard said AOF has a role to play in the burgeoning sustainable aviation fuel industry and bioenergy in general.
“One of AOF’s strengths is its technical support, particularly to crushers and oilseed refiners, in areas like running tests for laboratories.
“Also, Grains Australia is not in a position to advocate to governments for bioenergy and liquid fuels, whereas AOF is…able to provide technical support from a sustainability perspective.”
AOF has been instrumental in setting up Sustainable Grain Australia, initially with the environmentally conscious EU canola market in mind to satisfy International Sustainability & Carbon Certification requirements.
SGA is integrated with Australia’s National Grower Register, and saw 2.7 million tonnes of 2023-24 canola from 4200 growers delivered.
Richard Simonaitis.
Grains Australia is inviting those across the Australian oilseeds industry with skills and experience in areas including production, research, breeding, trade and market access, storage and grain-handling, processing, or developing products for consumers, to apply for a place on the council.
It will be responsible for overseeing implementation of classification frameworks for crops, providing expertise and advice in identifying trade and market-access priorities, and requirements for market information and market education relevant to oilseeds.
“We welcome applications from individuals across the Australian oilseeds sector who have a thorough understanding of the industry and can offer strategic advice on its market needs, priorities, and opportunities,” Grains Australia chief executive officer Richard Simonaitis said.
Grains Australia is an initiative of the Grains Research and Development Corporation, and is responsible for vital industry services and functions that improve the industry’s competitiveness and profitability.
It has already absorbed the tasks previously performed by Wheat Quality Australia, Barley Australia, Pulse Australia, and the Grains Industry Market Access Forum, as well as forming Australia’s first national oat council.