11 November 2013
Sugar Research Australia Media Release

Sugar Research Australia Ltd (SRA) has invited the Australian sugarcane industry to a series of
forums to put forward their perspective on the opportunities, challenges and research,
development and extension (RD&E) priorities that SRA should focus on in the coming years.

Mr Paul Wright AM, Chairman, SRA said that the consultation process will form the building block for the company’s 2013/4 – 2017/18 Strategic Plan and shape the future research direction of the industry.

“SRA is an industry-owned company and we have a commitment to listen to our levy payers to understand how our research solutions can improve operations on the farm and at the mill,” said Mr Wright.

“As well as understanding the challenges our levy payer’s face it’s important to capture the opportunities and trends they and other sugarcane industry participants believe could drive our industry to a more
productive, profitable and sustainable future.”

Grower and milling businesses, researchers and other businesses involved in the industry are invited to attend one of seven open forums being held in major cane-growing centres throughout November.

A forum will also be held in Brisbane to provide the research community with an opportunity to contribute innovative ideas for both current and future research and development activities that could benefit the industry.

In addition SRA will sponsor a Young Industry Participants’ forum to capture the views and insights of the next generation of growers, millers and researchers.

“We want to hear about what matters to our industry – now and into the future,” said Mr Wright.

“To ensure we collect as many opinions as possible, for those who can’t attend one of our forums feedback can be submitted via an online survey and in writing.”

“Comments received through the consultation process will inform the development of our 2013/14 – 2017/18 Strategic Plan. To ensure the plan is inclusive we will also engage with the Australian Sugar Industry Alliance (ASA) and other industry representative bodies to draft and finalise the plan,” concluded Mr Wright.