The GTA Committees page provides details about Grain Trade Australia's various committees, their roles, responsibilities, and how members can participate. It outlines the structure, nomination process, and specific focus areas like trade rules, grain standards, commerce, and technology.
The Trade & Market Access Committee (TMAC) proactively manages trade and market access issues impacting the sector. It advances independent, fact-based dialogue and advocacy for members and industry stakeholders, engaging with members to prioritise trade and market access issues and promote the positioning of grain industry issues with the Australian Government and in international forums.
TMAC supports, and where applicable helps shape, Federal and State Government efforts to ensure trade is not impacted by technical barriers that may arise in global forums such as the WTO, IPPC, FAO and CODEX, through trade agreements, country actions and/or State-based legislative actions.
GTA’s trade and market access strategy seeks to develop domestic and global policies and approaches that position the industry to take advantage of trade opportunities, minimise impacts and constraints to trade, and enable trade to continue efficiently and equitably. The Committee focuses on improving market access outcomes for GTA members and the grain industry by supporting new access opportunities, improving access arrangements and maintaining existing market access.
The Committee engages and provides input across a broad range of trade and market access opportunities and addresses issues that support GTA activities in this area.
TMAC makes recommendations to the GTA Board on issues relating to:
| Paul Smith | Chair |
|---|---|
| Michael Wood | Deputy Chair |
| Simon Gellert | Deputy Chair |
| Scott Merson | GTA Director |
| Adrian Reginato | Cargill Australia Ltd |
| Rosemary Richards | GTA Consultant |
| Peter Nash | Grain Industry Association of WA |
| Courtney Draper | AOF |
| Harry Notaras | Grain Corp |
| Kellie Todman | CBH Group |
| Annabel Mactier | Grain Growers Limited |
| Bobbi Ryan | CHS (QAM) |
| Julie O'Dea | Bunge |
| Gerard McMullen | NWPGP |
| Joshua Lawrence | Ikon Commodities |
| James Saunders | Control Union |
| Joe Finch | Fletchers |
| Simone Dax | LDC |
| Ian Desborough | AGEC |
The Commerce Committee advises the GTA Board on changes to existing Contracts and the development of new Contracts, Trade Rules and Dispute Resolution Rules.
The Committee provides a forum for individuals and relevant industry sectors to make submissions, share ideas and discuss matters relating to the GTA Trade Rules and Dispute Resolution Rules while fostering communication on industry matters relevant to operating in the grain supply chain.
The Committee presents to the GTA Board any developments and/or the implementation of Location Differentials across Australia. It reports on and makes recommendations to industry on all matters of importance addressed by the Commerce Committee.
| Michael Wood | Chair |
|---|---|
| Simon Gellert | Deputy Chair |
| Geoff Farnsworth | Deputy Chair |
| Duncan Bremner | Grain Producers Australia |
| Nathan Cattle | Clear Grain Exchange |
| Tim Crowe | LDC |
| John Payne | Cargill Australia Ltd |
| Tim Dowling | GrainCorp |
| Reagan Stroud | Ridley Agriproducts |
| Andrew Lang | Riordan Grain Services |
| Sean Cole | Grain Growers Limited |
| Sam Batters | CHS Broadbent |
| Stephen Clarke | ADM Trading Australia |
| Joshua Lawrence | Ikon Commodities |
| Tom Smibert | Bunge |
| Nick Liston | CBH Group |
| Matt Clarke | Inghams |
| Erin Burns | George Weston Foods (Mauri) |
| Joe Finch | Fletchers |
| Peter McMeekin | Norco |
The GTA Trading Standards Committee is responsible for the annual review and development of Grain Trading Standards.
The Committee consults with industry to develop Grain Trading Standards for application in the following season and recommends changes to existing GTA Trading Standards to the GTA Board for industry adoption.
Following consultation with industry, the Committee considers quality assurance and associated protocols, including additional reference materials across the grain value chain, to assist with the interpretation and implementation of GTA Trading Standards.
The Committee advises on the effective adoption and implementation of GTA Trading Standards by individual companies and relevant sectors of the industry. It also facilitates communication between the GTA Board, GTA Management, the GTA Trading Standards Committee and its Sub-Committees on industry matters relating to GTA Trading Standards and the Australian Grain Industry Code of Practice.
The Committee also develops the annual Visual Recognition Standards Guide (VRSG). This annual publication provides greater clarity to industry on the definition and interpretation of defects as outlined in each commodity Standard.
| Simon Tickner | Chair |
|---|---|
| Matt Kelly | Deputy Chair |
| Scott Merson | Deputy Chair |
| Gerard McMullen | GTA Technical Consultant |
| Caine McGregor | Cargill Australia Ltd |
| Matthew Madden | Grain Producers Australia |
| Vince Moroney | CBH Group |
| Craig Dennis | Network Grains (QAM) |
| Julie O'Dea | Bunge |
| Paul Panozzo | Allied Pinnacle |
| Sam Nelson | Grain Growers Limited |
| Matt Samin | GrainCorp |
| Marcus Dingle | Hazeldenes |
| Kyla Davie | CHS Broadbent |
| Kristian Just | Symbio Labs |
| Jade Saunders | Cropify |
| Sandra Newman | LDC |
The Transport, Storage & Ports Committee fosters communication on industry matters relating to domestic and export logistical and supply chain issues.
The Committee advises the GTA Board on recommendations made in relation to changes to legislation, including the Heavy Vehicle National Law and Chain of Responsibility.
It also advises the Board and reports to industry on all other matters of relevance addressed by the Committee.
The Committee reports and makes recommendations to industry on potential changes to processes and systems that may reduce impediments and provide a more secure and safe supply chain. The Committee also developed and maintains the Grain Industry Transport Code of Practice as an important tool to assist participants in transporting grain to their designated markets quickly, safely and within the relevant laws.
The Transport, Storage & Ports Committee is also responsible for making recommendations on:
| Geoff Farnsworth | Chair |
|---|---|
| Matt Kelly | Deputy Chair |
| Scott Merson | Deputy Chair |
| Andrew Weidemann | Grain Producers Australia |
| Annabel Mactier | Grain Producers Australia |
| Derek Robjohns | Bunge |
| Josh Connell | GrainCorp |
| Michael Broadbent | CHS Broadbent |
| Matt Clarke | Inghams |
| Joshua Lawrence | NSW Ports |
| Morne van Wyngaard | CBH |
| Joseph Masters | Fletchers |
| Ben Redway | LDC |
GTA and the Australian grain industry support innovation as a key contributor, enabling the industry to deliver improved outcomes for growers and consumers. GTA works with the grain industry to ensure that it has access to and implements systems and processes to maintain choice and ensure that customer requirements in domestic and export markets can be met.
The Plant Breeding Innovation Committee ensures appropriate commercial processes exist to enable fair and efficient trade of grain which contains approved GMO and GE material. The Committee consults with and advises, where required, technology proponents and other related parties in relation to GMO and GE ‘pipeline’ events intended for release in Australia. They work proactively with technology proponents and key industry stakeholders to prepare for any regulatory or Freedom to Operate approval for commercial release and cultivation of a GM crop and/or novel plant breeding innovation.
The Committee maintains, reviews and utilises, as required, the Grain Industry Stewardship Framework for New Technologies and the Market Choice Framework for GM Crops. Developed in collaboration with other Committees, the Grain Industry Stewardship Framework for New Technologies outlines a collaborative approach to the stewardship of new technologies impacting the grain supply chain, including the introduction of varieties using innovative plant breeding technologies. The frameworks support the introduction and effective utilisation of technology, reduce the risk of supply chain and market disruption, and ensure the seamless integration of approved crops into the Australian grain market, supporting market access and market choice. Through engagement with the wider industry, the Committee promotes the frameworks and these initiatives.
The Committee develops and maintains agreed cross-sector ‘unintended presence’ response processes for use should there be a detection of an unapproved GM crop. It also coordinates activities at an industry/Government level on supply chain issues relating to GMO and GE crops containing approved and unapproved GMO events and/or novel plant breeding innovation, and monitors developments in relation to plant breeding innovation to develop industry responses/policies as required.
The Plant Breeding Innovation Committee is also responsible for making recommendations to the Board and industry on the potential effect to commerical activity as a result of the:
| Simon Tickner | Chair |
|---|---|
| Simon Gellert | Deputy Chair |
| Courtney Draper | AOF |
| Tristan Coram | Australian Grain Technologies |
| Duncan Young | Grain Producers Australia |
| Sam Nelson | Grain Growers Limited |
| Tresslyn Walmsley | InterGrain |
| David Hudson | SGA Solutions Pty Ltd |
| Nicholas Chambers | GrainCorp |
| Katherine Delbridge | ASF |
| Adrian Reginato | Cargill Australia Ltd |
| Craig McLure | CBH Group |
The Information Technology Advisory Committee provides advice and guidance to support the ongoing improvement of information, systems and processes across the Australian grain industry.
The Committee advises the GTA Board on opportunities to collaboratively investigate system, process and research initiatives that may resolve common grain industry information, process and transactional issues.
Through fostering communication with GTA Members, the Committee seeks opportunities to share information, ideas and learnings across companies to support the development of industry reference material, including common transactional processes. Through collaboration and knowledge sharing, the Committee works to identify opportunities to improve industry processes and systems.
The Committee reports and makes recommendations to industry on potential changes to processes and systems that may reduce impediments and support the improved facilitation of trade. It also identifies risks, gaps and opportunities for the grain industry from a data and information technology perspective.
The Committee provides expert advice to the GTA Board, other Committees and external stakeholders, including Government departments and agencies, on behalf of the grain industry. This work supports improved data exchange across industry and Governments (local and global) to enhance the efficient facilitation of trade.
The Information Technology Advisory Committee will also make recommendations to the GTA Board in relation to:
| Richard Perkins | Chair |
|---|---|
| Andy Cunliffe | Deputy Chair |
| Nathan Cattle | Clear Grain Exchange |
| Sam Nelson | Grain Growers Ltd |
| Ian Sproul | CBH Grain |
| Jay Holland | National Grower Register |
| Julia O'Dea | Bunge |
| Anna Falkiner | Cropify |
Nominations for 2025-2026:
The nomination process for 2025-2026 has been simplified and is now available online for your convenience.
For all GTA Technical Committee Members
(Applies to new as well as re-appointed committee members):
Complete and sign GTA Technical Committees Charter and Terms of Reference Declaration
This is an online form that contains Technical Committees Charter and Terms of Reference. It takes approximately 1 to 2 minutes to complete. This Declaration is required to be completed prior to your first Committee meeting.
If you prefer to access this Declaration from your mobile device, please click here.
Alternatively you can scan below QR Code with your phone.
The Committee structure within GTA allows Members to raise issues that impact on their commercial operations, leading to industry consensus on particular issues such as, trade rules and grain standards.
The Chairman of each Technical Committee is Board appointed according to his or her particular qualifications. Any Member can nominate themselves or someone else for a position on a GTA Technical Committee and all members can submit issues to the Technical Committees.
All GTA Technical Committees must agree to and abide by:
GTA Technical Committee Recommendations and Submissions
GTA Technical Committees will from time to time call on Members to submit recommendations on specific industry issues.
GTA also welcomes, throughout the year, Member submissions regarding any other industry issues of relevance to GTA’s role in supporting the efficient facilitation of trade across the Australian grain supply chain.
Submissions should be presented to GTA on the following form and forwarded to submissions@graintrade.org.au
Stay updated on industry news and events. Subscribe now for exclusive updates and insights!
Self Regulatory Framework
NEWS
Self Regulatory Framework
NWPGP
NEWS
Events
Street Address
Level 7
12 O'Connell Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Postal Address
PO Box R1829
Royal Exchange
Sydney NSW 1225
Street Address
Level 7
12 O'Connell Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Postal Address
PO Box R1829
Royal Exchange
Sydney NSW 1225