New citrus committee appointed for South Australia
Called the South Australian Regional Advisory Committee (SARAC), the committee will be the regional arm of Citrus Australia, following the recommendation of a selection committee as part of reforms under way to improve South Australia’s citrus industry.
Con Poulos will be the chair, while committee members include David Arnold, Penny Smith, Anthony Fulwood, Mark Doecke, Donna Mercurio-Homan and Steve Burdette.
As well as being a citrus grower, Con is currently Director of CCW Co-operative - Australia’s largest grape supply co-operative. The committee is comprised of a mixture of growers, a packer and a marketer.
Citrus Australia Board Chair, Tania Chapman, said the appointment was a positive step forward and a fresh start for the South Australian citrus industry.
"As an advisory committee to Citrus Australia, SARAC will unite and strengthen the industry through more effective regional and national programs, as well as cut cost and duplication for growers," she said.
"We will work with SARAC to hold their first meeting in August and I look forward to the skills and passion these members can bring to the industry.
"I would like to thank Minister for Agriculture Gail Gago for taking the lead and working so closely with the citrus industry through a challenging but positive period of change."
The SARAC Selection Committee was comprised of representatives from the SA Citrus Industry Development Board, Citrus Growers SA and Citrus Australia and headed by independent Chair Neil Andrew.
Minister Gago welcomed the appointment of the new committee.
"I’d like to thank the SA Citrus Industry Transition Working Party and SARAC Selection Committee for their work in leading this transition towards a new structure," she said.
"Neil Andrew, who has led this process in chairing both the working party and SARAC selection committee, has also been instrumental in working with industry to manage this process. I hope the industry continues to move forward and I have full confidence that they will support the new committee in their role.
"Now is the time for the industry to move toward a streamlined and efficient structure that will benefit the entire citrus supply chain. The citrus industry can now be responsible for and manage its own future direction," Minister Gago said.
For more information:
Citrus Australia
Tel: +61 (0)3 5023 6333
www.citrusaustralia.com.au