The Australian grain industry came together in Melbourne on 4–5 June 2025 for the 52nd Australian Grain Storage & Protection Conference, continuing its long-standing commitment to safeguarding market access and maintaining the industry’s reputation for providing clean, safe grain.

The conference, hosted by Grain Trade Australia (GTA), brought together industry leaders, researchers and regulators to address the latest challenges in grain storage, chemical regulation and pest management.

NWPGP Chair Gerard McMullen described the event as a cornerstone of the industry calendar.

“The NWPGP Conference supports the vital role of science combined with stewardship across the supply chain, helping enhance the global reputation of Australian grain as a high-quality, safe product,” Gerard McMullen said.

The 2025 program featured expert insights on:

• National and international MRLs and market access issues
• The current insect resistance status and a future Insect Resistance Management Strategy
• Current and emerging grain protection and research innovations
• On-farm and commercial storage facility treatment trends, including grain hygiene and cooling practices
• Development of voluntary storage standards and industry training priorities to meet regulatory and industry requirements.

More than 30 speakers presented to 200 delegates in 2025, with sessions from organisations including the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, GRDC’s Grain Storage Extension Team, and the APVMA.

The event also reinforced the importance of ongoing research to meet current and emerging industry issues, such as:

• The role of grain protectants – is there a future and current research
• Fumigation at Export to meet Quarantine Pre-Shipment treatment regulations
• National Residue Survey – ongoing industry and government efforts domestically and internationally that highlight high compliance with market maximum residue limits.

The Insights

Live polling during the conference showed strong industry support for continued investment in extension, training and standards. Discussions highlighted:

• Pest Prevention practices and IPM are good, but delegates recognised there is room for improvement
• Protectants are a critical part of pest prevention and management
• Protectant use in Australia will remain an important and useful tool for the foreseeable future.

The NWPGP remains focused on fostering an informed and capable supply chain, equipped to meet evolving market expectations and uphold Australia’s domestic and export grain integrity.

GTA has a long association and history with the NWPGP conference and is proud to be a conference organiser. GTA CEO Pat O’Shannassy opened the 2025 conference with a strong message about transparency and accountability.

Pat O’Shannassy emphasised “three things create value for industry, growers and all other businesses that make up our great industry – Product, Confidence and Reputation. That is why events like NWPGP matter”.

The NWPGP is funded by Grains Australia Limited.

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Media Contact:
Gerard McMullen
NWPGP Chair
Tel: 0419 156 065