CATHY MCGOWAN ANNOUNCED AS NEW AGRIFUTURES AUSTRALIA CHAIRPERSON

Ms Cathy McGowan AO has been appointed the new AgriFutures Australia Chairperson – the latest move in a long career advocating for rural and regional areas.

AgriFutures Australia is one of 15 Research and Development Corporations (RDCs). It invests in rural growth and development, including for emerging high-potential industries like sesame, industrial hemp and seaweed.

A sixth-generation farmer from north-east Victoria, Ms McGowan has held various leadership roles in rural and regional organisations, including as President of Australian Women in Agriculture, prior to her service as a Member of Parliament.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Murray Watt welcomed Ms McGowan into the position, and said he was looking forward to working with her on building the innovation, sustainability and success of the agriculture sector.

“The appointment of Ms McGowan as chairperson of AgriFutures Australia will continue to provide strong leadership for the corporation and industry,” Minister Watt said.

“AgriFutures Australia is uniquely placed, as it supports a wide range of established and emerging industries and addresses national rural issues across the agriculture sector.”

“Ms McGowan’s past experience in the Australian Parliament as the Federal

Ag trade and sustainability front and centre of international talks

Expanding overseas markets for Australian agriculture and demonstrating our sustainable agriculture credentials will be the focus of high-level talks being held in the United Kingdom and Europe over the next week.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt will travel to London and Berlin this week, to lead these discussions with UK and European government and industry leaders.

“These meetings will allow me to keep up the momentum on important free trade agreements and ensure that overseas decision makers and buyers have a true picture of Australia’s commitment to sustainable agriculture,” Minister Watt said.

“This visit comes off the back of a recent push by Trade Minister Don Farrell, and allows me to reinforce the importance of fnalising the trade deals as soon as possible.

“The UK FTA is making good progress through the UK Parliament, but we need to keep up the momentum, so Australian producers can take advantage of this high value market.

“I will also be pressing the point that we need meaningful market access, across a range of commodities, as part of any new FTA with the European Union.

“These FTAs will bolster trade opportunities for our farmers and that means jobs and export dollars for the whole country.

“In London I will meet with the UK Food and Agriculture Minister, Shadow Ministers and industry stakeholders to advocate for urgent ratifcation of the freetrade agreement and to ensure buyers are ready to take more Australian product.

“In Berlin, I will meet with the EU Trade and Agriculture

Commissioners, along with several Agriculture Ministers from European countries, whose views are crucial to the EU FTA.

Minister Watt said he will also use his attendance at the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture in Berlin to spruik Australian Agriculture’s climatesmart credentials.

“Together with around 80 other agriculture ministers from all over the world, I will be putting forward Australia’s position on issues of food security, sustainability, global supply chains, climate change and how we can improve our agriculture and food systems to face these challenges.

“It’s important the world knows Australia has a new government, that is determined to partner with our ag sector to build on its strong record on sustainability.”

Member for Indi means she is well positioned to be a strong advocate and leader for the organisation and sector.

“Australia’s rural Research and Development Corporation (RDC) model is the cornerstone of our agricultural innovation system.

“Our RDCs allow industry an opportunity to invest in targeted research and development and marketing to drive productivity, proftability and sustainability.

Ms McGowan has been appointed for a three-year term.

Ms McGowan’s appointment as AgriFutures Australia Chairperson follows the retirement of Mrs Kay Hull AO from the position in December 2022.

“I would like to thank Mrs Hull for the strategic leadership and direction that she has provided to AgriFutures Australia since her appointment in 2016,” Minister Watt said.

“She has overseen many signifcant investments in research and development that have delivered outcomes for levy payers, industry and government and I wish her all the best in her retirement.”