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AQIS Grain Industry Consultative Committee
The AQIS-Grains Industry Consultative Committee (AGICC) is the principal advisory forum for AQIS to consult with the grains and related industries on export certification, export market access, quarantine and other relevant issues. Accordingly, the AQIS Grain and Plant Products Export Program only introduces major policy or operational changes after AGICC has been consulted. AGICC recognises, however, that final responsibility for decision-making on phytosanitary matters rests with AQIS, which has statutory responsibilities under the Quarantine Act 1908 and the Export Control Act 1982.
The terms of reference for the Committee are as follows:
Within the framework of the Government’s policies relating to ‘Quarantine and Export Inspection’ functions delivered by AQIS and its authorised agents, the Committee will:
- act as the peak industry consultative group between AQIS and the grains industry on operational, policy and strategic issues
- consider and provide advice to AQIS on relevant matters in the grains industry
- ensure that the Committee acts as an effective conduit for information exchange between the grains industry and AQIS.
The Committee will consider:
- strategic directions for AQIS programs relevant to the grains industry
- significant proposed changes to policy and operational procedures
- priorities for AQIS in allocating resources to technical export market access issues
- program budgets, cost recovery mechanisms and charge levels
- key program performance issues such as efficiency and effectiveness indicators
- that the program conforms to the National Competition Policy requirements.
Membership
Membership of AGICC has also been expanded recently to include representatives of most commodity sectors regulated by the AQIS Grain and Plant Products Program. While membership is expected to change as the industry itself changes, it currently includes:
- Grain Council of Australia
- AWB Limited
- ABB Grain Ltd
- Australian Seed Federation
- National Agricultural Commodities Marketing Association
- Australian Oilseeds Federation
- CBH
- GrainCorp
- SunRice
- Australian Fodder Industry Association
- Australian Cotton Seed Industry Council
- Quarantine and Export Advisory Council
- Craig Mostyn Group
- Pulse Australia
Meetings
The AGICC meets three times per year and holds telephone conferences out of session when required.
Contact
For further information about the AGICC, contact the Secretariat.
Ph: (02) 6272 5037
Fax: (02) 6272 3745
Email: AQIS Grain Industry Consultative Committee