GTA CEO Pat O’Shannassy has represented the Australian grain trade in key international policy forums, ensuring practical, science-based perspectives from the bulk grain supply chain inform global trade and regulatory discussions.
In his role as President of the International Grain Trade Coalition (IGTC), Pat spoke at the International Grains Council (IGC) during a dialogue on major policy issues affecting global grain trade. He was the only private-sector presenter, alongside representatives from FAO/AMIS, the OECD and the World Trade Organisation.
Through IGTC engagement, GTA members benefit from Australian grain trade expertise being represented in key global policy forums. This helps ensure supply chain realities are considered in discussions on market access, maximum residue limits (MRLs), biotechnology such as gene-edited products and sustainability regulation – issues that directly affect trade predictability and commercial outcomes.
Over two weeks, Pat engaged with policymakers and regulators at the World Trade Organisation and the International Grains Council’s 63rd Council Session in London. During this time, he participated in a special IGC forum on genome editing, chaired by DAFF’s Dr Amy Little. The forum reinforced the need for a coordinated, government-led approach to ensure innovation in commodity crops does not create unintended trade barriers. The IGC session discussions also focused on the global robustness of global food supply chains, non-tariff measures impacting global trade and food security.
In Canada, Pat met with Erin Gowriluk, CEO of the Canada Grains Council and Pierre Moussy, Minister Counsellor at the French Embassy, to discuss IGTC’s Sustainability Principles for Resilient Supply Chains and the importance of consistent, predictable and science-based standards to maintain open trade. He also met with senior officials from Canada’s government agency Agriculture and Agrifood Canada, to discuss SPS issues, e-phyto and given its like-minded approach, how Canada supports IGTC’s trade facilitation principles and guidelines for the benefit of global trade and food security.
Pat commented on the return of further opportunities for GTA and IGTC to continue to advocate and raise awareness at global and regional forums. This includes highlighting the practical issues, risks and barriers to trade from non-tariff (NTMs), including global regulatory incoherence around biotechnology and seed innovation. Pat also emphasised the importance of strengthening global regulatory frameworks in 2026 to support predictable, rules-based and science-led international grain trade.
