About the Agribusiness Association
Our Aim - ‘Promoting Agribusiness in Australia
The Agribusiness Association of Australia Limited aims to facilitate communication across the agri-food chain and to promote the contribution made by agribusiness to the Australian economy and community.
The Association promotes the core values of openness and transparency in communication and the Association’s activities promote value chain thinking and awareness as essential factors in the development of an efficient, profitable and dynamic agri-food sector.
Our Role
The Association acts as a conduit for communication and co-operation across all sectors of the value chain. The Association works to raise knowledge of issues effecting the development of an efficient and competitive agri-food value chain.
The Agribusiness Association of Australia Limited is not an industry representation body and does not seek to influence the political process. Where applicable, the Association acts as a credible source of information or commentary on issues that effect all sectors of the value chain.
Association Structure
The Agribusiness Association of Australia Limited is a corporation limited by guarantee. A Board of currently 13 individual professionals from agribusiness is elected by members - including a President, Vice President and Treasurer. The Immediate Past President is also a member.
The Association currently employs a contract Executive Director who reports directly and regularly to the President and the Board of the Association.
Governance
The Association complies with the relevant legislative requirements relating to financial control and auditing. Annual meetings are generally held in conjunction with an annual congress / conference.
Members
Members of the Agribusiness Association of Australia Limited are professionals drawn from all sectors of the agri-food value chain - private industry, government, industry representation and education.
Communication
The Association is primarily an E-association. This website is the main vehicle for communication, backed up by breakfast networking events and a weekly email Newsletter to members.
As part of the ‘public” communication role of the Association, regular articles and opinion pieces are contributed to journals and magazines. The Association is regularly consulted by the electronic media for comment on industry developments, across a diverse range of issues. The Association also contributes to consultative committees and the development of seminar / conference programs.
World Wide Web
The Agribusiness Association of Australia Limited provides a source of information that can be used to improve domestic and international competitiveness and encourage innovation in all areas of agribusiness.
Our activities aim to promote awareness of the inter-relationships that form the agri-food chain - from the producer to the consumer.
The Association uses the web and e-mail for delivery of reports and membership newsletters, as well as the distribution of third party information that is of relevance or interest to members. For members who don’t have e-mail, fax is used to distribute information. All information on the website is free.
The Association welcomes input from all members and stakeholders in the agri-food industry. In particular, members are invited to submit their own comments or opinion editorials to be published on this website as ‘Weekly Reports’.
We are happy to market any upcoming seminars or conferences that are of interest to members through the members page on this website and through our regular emails. To take advantage of these opportunities, email the webmaster.
Funds are not available at this time, but any research papers or similar that are available without charge can be made available through this website.
Personal Communication
In addition to regular direct electronic communication, the Association facilitates face-to-face communication and networking by organising forums, seminars and conferences. Because of the wide range of issues that effect the agri-food value chain, it is not always possible to cover all issues with events, however these are usually covered by commentary or publishing initiatives.
Finances
The Association relies on membership subscriptions and support from corporate partners for operating expenditure. The Association audit is conducted by MSI Tilley and Co.
Agri-Biotechnology and the Agri-Food Chain
The Agribusiness Association’s Policy
The Association is neither pro or anti agri-biotech, but supports a balanced, honest and informed debate on the possible adoption of agri-biotechnology.
The Association believes that such a debate should be on the merits of the technology and the possible ramifications of its widespread adoption, and on the direct and indirect social and economic impacts likely to occur from decisions to adopt or not adopt the technologies as they become available.
The Association believes that all parties with an interest in debating the advantages and disadvantages of agri-biotechnology have to take into consideration basic principals of marketing and economics and they should be fully aware of the need to be inclusive of all sectors of the agri-food chain.
