1. Background

GTA has commenced a project to review, update and revise the Australian Grain Industry Code of Practice (COP) where required.

The COP, and the supporting Technical Guideline Documents (TGDs), are provided as a minimum standard for the management of grain along the supply chain. The objective of the review is to ensure continued improvement, relevance and integrity of the COP to the grain Industry. The COP is an integral part of the Grain Industry Self-Regulatory Framework. It is supported by GTA products & services, and its adoption is mandatory for all GTA Members.

An Industry Working Group (IWG) consisting of a cross-section of industry participants has been tasked with drafting changes to the COP. Attached for your review is an updated draft.

Like a GTA Technical Committee, the IWG’s purpose is to provide independent and expert consultation and technical oversight of the project. The IWG will ensure that the COP is practical and will be applicable to the grain industry.

2. What Significant Changes have been Made

a. Added references to industry requirement to manage and consider traceability and sustainability

b. Added references for industry to consider Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) aspects

c. Include clauses on the Stewardship Framework for New Technologies

d. Included industry should conduct activities and manage data and transactions in a secure manner, including the use of common data systems where possible and practicable

e. Included the need for industry to conduct activities according to WH&S laws and other labour laws such as modern slavery

f. Clarified industry actions when a chemical MRL is found to be in violation of regulations

g. Under training, included the requirement that a minimum of one person per company must undertake GTA Code training

h. Removed various specific sections previously in the Chemical area and placed these in the Grain Quality Management and Marketing areas, as those clauses relate to marketing grain and managing all parameters, not just for chemicals

i. Revised wording in various sections for clarity, without altering the original requirement or intent of those statements

j. Added various definitions

k. Added recently completed Technical Guideline Documents

l. Updated various document and website links

m. Updates to various industry organisation names.

3. Calling for Industry Submissions

Adequate engagement and input to this project from industry participants is also essential to ensure the continued relevance of the COP to all stakeholders and their businesses. Participants are invited to provide a submission to assist the project and enhance the current version of the Grain Industry Code of Practice.

GTA and the Industry Working Group is seeking feedback via Submissions from GTA Members and the broader Industry on this revised Grain Industry Code of Practice.

Submissions should be received by COB Friday, 6 June 2025.

The existing Grain Industry Code of Practice, Grain Transport Code of Practice and Technical Guideline Documents are available from the GTA website – click here

Submissions should indicate or reference:

• The Section of each Code being considered
• If additional content is being suggested, a relevant area of the current documents that the comments could be located.

Submissions should be lodged by emailing submissions@graintrade.org.au and title your email – “Review of COP”.

A pro-forma for lodging submissions is located on the GTA website at graintrade.org.au/committees, noting that submissions do not need to be supported by other GTA Members; however, if they are supported, please indicate on the form.

Unless marked “confidential” and appropriate supporting reasons are provided, all submissions may be placed on the GTA website for industry review.

Following the receipt of all submissions, the IWG will revise the COP as required. The final version will then be sent to the GTA Board for approval prior to release to industry. This timeframe is expected to occur by mid 2025.

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