Who we are

On behalf of the Australian grain industry, the National Working Party on Grain Protection (NWPGP) is the body responsible for providing management and leadership to the industry in the areas of post-harvest grain storage and hygiene, and chemical use, outturn tolerances, international and domestic market requirements and chemical regulations. It coordinates and provides the Australian government with industry views on chemicals in use on grain and associated products, as they relate to market access domestically and for exported commodities.

The NWPGP has been in operation for 50 years. Initially, it included only State-based Bulk Handling Companies, the Australian Wheat Board and researchers. In recent years, it has evolved to include all sectors of the supply chain, recognising the role that all stakeholders have in ensuring the safe and effective use of chemicals and supply of grain that meets both market and regulatory requirements.

The NWPGP now has members across the entire grain supply chain. These include stakeholders such as:

• Crop breeders
• Chemical Registrants
• Chemical users
• Storage providers
• Growers
• Traders/Marketers
• Grain processors, both for human consumption and stockfeed
• Transport companies
• Research organisation
• Government bodies, including regulators
• Grain Trade Australia provides a range of administrative support functions to the NWPGP

The NWPGP hosts an annual forum providing participants with the latest research and developments, in the area of post-harvest storage and hygiene, chemical usage and outturn tolerances, international and domestic market requirements, and regulations.

For a brief overview of NWPGP please refer to below PDF Presentation or Watch Video here.

Strategic Working Group

The NWPGP Strategic Working Group (SWG) is a small group within the NWPGP formed to assist NWPGP to operate successfully and achieve its desired outcomes. As a group appointed by the Chair NWPGP and the GTA Board of directors, the SWG role is to advise on issues outlined in the Terms of Reference (SWG Terms of Reference) or any other subsequent issues that may have a potential impact on GTA Members, industry in general and NWPGP functions. The SWG also assists the chair develop the agenda for the annual conference.

Current SWG members:

Working groups

Working Groups are formed as required, either following discussion at the annual conference or at any time during the year when an across-industry approach to issues is required. The Chair will either invite specific participants to be members or call for nominations from industry. All Working Groups are open to all stakeholders, provided participants attend and participate on behalf of the industry rather than their own personal/company interests.

Meetings generally occur via teleconference and the frequency varies based on the specific needs at the time. Members pay their own costs, although GTA administer teleconferences, take minutes etc. on behalf of industry.

Working Group deliberations are generally made public, although some activities remain confidential. Where required, updates on activities are provided at the annual conference.

The following Working Groups have been formed in recent years:

Contact Information for:

• Further enquiries or
• To seek further information on any activities of the NWPGP or
• To nominate for membership of any of the Working Groups or
• To be added to the Chair's NWPGP distribution list for receiving market MRL changes or
• To be added to the GTA general distribution list for notices on the Annual Conference