2012 WILL be a watershed year for Australia’s sugar industry as reforms to its research and development (R&D) model create a single and sustainable sugar research organisation with a larger research funding pool, according to sugar industry body Canegrowers.
Endorsed by Canegrowers and the Australian Sugar Milling Council (ASMC) through the Australian Sugar Industry Alliance (ASA) last October, the reforms aim to strengthen and advance sugar industry R&D.
The reform package comes after a year of consultation with industry leaders, and responds to concerns that the current system is not financially sustainable, and needs strengthening and focus to deliver the research the industry needs to remain internationally competitive.
Without this reform, it is estimated growers and millers would need to pay 99c/tonne of cane in 2013 (compared to 55c/tonne paid in 2009-10) to keep research, development and extension in the same form as in 2010 with the three existing industry research bodies.
ASMC CEO Dominic Nolan said the formation of a single research organisation, called Sugar Research Australia, would allow grower and miller funds to be used more effectively, will maximise government contributions and will deliver research performance better aligned to industry priorities.
“The reform package will be progressively implemented over the next 18 months into 2013” said Mr Nolan. Work this year will revitalise, strengthen and streamline sugar research, development and extension, and ensure the industry can continue to fund activities crucial to industry viability."
Canegrowers CEO Steve Greenwood said the reforms will focus sugar industry research to address industry priorities, including continuing strong focus on plant breeding and variety development.
"BSES has announced its support and BSES changes are underway including opening positions in the new Professional Extension and Communications (PEC) Unit."
"These developments will be a fitting mark of the Australian Year of the Farmer for cane growers,” Mr Greenwood said.
“With these reforms, we will equip our industry with the right level of R&D investment, rising to $21 million in 2013-14. The reforms will streamline who does what, and ensure growers and millers contribute equally, and most importantly get access to research knowledge and advice equitably across the industry."
ASA is organising an important series of field meetings across sugar regions during March 2012 to communicate with as many growers and others as possible about the changes and what they mean for them,” Greenwood said.
"The reforms are already delivering in that cane growers will pay a 2012 BSES Service Fee of 30 cents per tonne which is less than the special fee paid in 2011 while the R&D review was underway."
Sixteen 'New Era' Sugar RD&E Reform Field Meetings will be held from 12 to 29 March, starting in Mossman and travelling through to Ballina NSW. All cane growers, millers and industry participants will be invited. Details will be advertised in February.
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