Growers given a voice with AUSVEG

AUSVEG, the national peak industry representative organisation for the vegetable and potato industries, has adopted a new constitution which will see it move away from being a federation of state representative organisations to having direct grower membership.

This move will ensure that the organisation achieves its goal of broader and more direct representation of its levy paying members around Australia.

Current Chairman, David Anderson and Vice Chairman, Jeff McSpedden, are to be complimented on this achievement. The change follows a period of upheaval for AUSVEG, and must be seen as a bitter sweet victory for former Chairman, Mike Badcock, who was a strong advocate for the adoption of the changed structure.

It may also serve to take some of the politics out of the policy making processes within the industry, with mainstream growers being able to have more say in relation to the decisions made by their peak industry body and the industry policy positions adopted.

AUSVEG has a strong brand and an established track record built under the leadership of the ex-Chairman, Mike Badcock and ex-CEO, John Roach. For the restructured organisation to now build on this established base will be a very positive outcome for the industry.

Brismark and Brisbane Markets Limited are keen to work with AUSVEG in relation to issues of mutual interest such as increasing the consumption of fresh vegetables, marketing and promotions, biosecurity and in ensuring a workable outcome to the Code of Conduct issue.