1999 Federated Farmers Grains Council Conference

18 June 1999

PR54/99

Federated Farmers Grains Council will hold its annual conference on 22 and 23 June 1999. The venue for the conference is the Latimer Lodge, Latimer Square, Christchurch.

Grains Council Chairman Alan Taylor said that this year's conference theme, Delivering Product Fit-for-purpose: An Industry-wide Goal, is set to provide a real challenge to delegates and industry participants. Six consecutive stakeholders in the arable food, feed, and seed industries will discuss the steps that they have undertaken to achieve excellence in the products demanded by their customers.

The focal point of the conference is the theme-based Industry Forum on the second day, opening with Michael Lee-Richards, a renowned Christchurch chef commenting on the arable products available to him. Other industry representatives, including farmers, manufacturers, scientists and plant breeders, will follow with their perspectives on the theme.

This forum is designed to mirror the objectives and structure of the Arable Food Industry Council (AFIC), a pan-industry body that covers the common interests of the industry value-chain, Mr Taylor said.

In addition to these discussions, the conference will host the Annual General Meetings of the Grains Council and its subsections.

An annual highlight is the evening Cocktail Function, where the Wheat Quality Awards are presented to the winning growers.

Mr Taylor said that grower and industry interest in the Federated Farmers Grains Council conference is at its highest level ever. The public and media are invited to most daytime sessions, although some discussions may be held in committee.

"I am confident that this conference will be our best ever," Mr Taylor said.

ENDS

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