Member Update No. 11 of 2024 Tech Comm Nominations 2024-2025

No. 11 of 2024
8 August 2024

TOPIC: 2024/2025 GTA Technical Committee Nominations

DISTRIBUTION: GTA Members – primary contact list. Please circulate to all appropriate internal parties.

1. Call for Nominations

Grain Trade Australia (GTA) is now calling for 2024/2025 Technical Committee & Domestic Sector Council nominations. Applicants will be selected by the GTA Board at a meeting following the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held on Tuesday 29th of October 2024. NOMINATIONS CLOSE FRIDAY OCTOBER 4, 2024

2. Current GTA Committee Members – MUST RE-APPLY

All appointments to the GTA Technical Committees & Domestic Sector Council are for one year only, therefore current members must re-apply if they wish to be considered for a position on a GTA Technical Committee for 2024/2025.

3. Supporting Documentation

Intending applicants to GTA Technical Committees & Domestic Sector Council are advised to consult the following documents on the GTA website prior to submitting their nomination.

4. GTA Technical Committees – General Information

GTA Technical Committees & Domestic Sector Council are skills-based appointments.

The GTA Board will appoint members based on the applicant’s technical competency within the Committee’s scope, whilst mindful that the Committee should, where possible, have representation from:

All sectors of the grain supply chain, affected by the decisions of the committee;
Large and small organisations; and
All major grain production and trading states.

The scope of each of the Technical Committee & Domestic Sector Council can be found at Item 8 below.

The GTA Board relies on the Technical Committees & Domestic Sector Council to consider these and other subsequent issues that may have a potential impact on GTA services to Members, and to advise the Board on appropriate action. Therefore, all nominees should be confident to openly discuss and provide input toward decisions.

GTA Technical Committees & Domestic Sector Council meet 4-8 times per year via video conference. Some Committees may hold in-person meetings during the year (e.g. Trading Standards). Members are responsible for their own telecommunications and travel costs.

GTA Technical Committee & Domestic Sector Council Members agree to participate on a Committee and / or Council for the benefit of all GTA Members. They do not represent the interests of any one industry sector, private or public organisation.

5. Vacancies

Nominations are sought for the following GTA Committees & Councils:

Commerce
Trading Standards
Trade & Market Access
Transport, Storage & Ports
Plant Breeding for Innovation
Information Technology Advisory
Domestic Sector Council

6. Nominations

Only financial members of GTA can nominate for a Technical Committee & Domestic Sector Council position. Nominations and Consent to Act Forms are available online for your convenience:

Submit your Nomination online on GTA website

7. Closing Date and Completed Forms

Completed forms must reach GTA no later than the close of business on Friday 04 October 2024.

For any questions, please email: admin@graintrade.org.au

8. Scope of the GTA Technical Committees and member requirements

COMMERCE COMMITTEE

Committee members should possess a sound commercial understanding of the use and implementation of the:

GTA Trade Rules
GTA Contracts and Agreements
GTA Arbitration process and Dispute Resolution Rules
GTA Location Differentials

STANDARDS COMMITTEE

Committee members should possess a sound working knowledge of the development and industry adherence to:

The GTA Trading Standards for cereals and coarse grains
Quality assurance issues across the industry in areas including Technology Development, Methods and Food Safety
Key publications such as the Visual Standards Recognition Guide

TRADE & MARKET ACCESS COMMITTEE

Committee members should possess a sound working knowledge of GTA and Industry policies relating to market access of key domestic and overseas markets including:

Non-tariff trade measures (NTMs)
Regulatory issues impacting grain market access.
Global Low-Level Presence (LLP) initiatives
Biosafety Protocol (BSP) / Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
The International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs)

TRANSPORT, STORAGE & PORTS COMMITTEE

Committee members should have a thorough understanding of the commercial impact of key issues in this area including:

Grain transport and movement by road and rail including industry and regulatory developments
Container packing, storage and handling and the movement of grain through up-country networks
Regulatory issues impacting grain transport, storage, port operations and access
Occupational health and safety

COMMITTEE FOR PLANT BREEDING INNOVATION

Committee members will be required to:

Consult with and advise where required, with relevant stakeholders in relation to “pipeline” events intended for cultivation and commercial release.
Act as a point of contact within the grain industry to coordinate activities at an industry/government level on supply chain issues relating to crops containing Innovative Plant Breeding Techniques or approved and unapproved GM events.
Ensure the appropriate commercial processes are established to enable fair and efficient trade of seed for sowing and grain which contains approved Innovative Planting Breeding Techniques.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Committee members will have:

A sound understanding of the practical applications of Information technology to the grain industry.
A strategic view to improve trade facilitation and efficiency through information technology development and improved business processes.

DOMESTIC SECTOR COUNCIL

Council members should have:

Act as an advocate and provide leadership for the Australian grain domestic consumption sector.
Engage with all stakeholders and industry participants to promote and support an industry that delivers safe and suitable food to our customers.
Monitor and investigate existing and proposed legislation, rules or ordinances in Australia that may affect the Australian grain industry and make recommendations to address concerns.

Previous Update

Member Update No. 7 of 2025 GTA Location Differentials 2025/26 – Round 2 Nominations and Submissions

11 May 2025

Member Update No. 6 of 2025 GTA Life Membership – Call for Nominations

6 May 2025

Member Update No. 5 of 2025 Calling for Industry Submissions: Australian Grain Industry Code of Practice Review

5 May 2025

Member Update No. 4 of 2025 2nd Industry Call for Submissions on 2025/26 GTA Trading Standards

1 May 2025

Member Update No. 3 of 2025 Proposed Changes to GTA Trade Rules and GTA Contracts No.3 and No.6

13 March 2025

Member Update No. 2 of 2025 1st Industry Call for Submissions on 2025/26 GTA Trading Standards