Agriculture and Food Minister Ken Baston today congratulated John Atkins on his appointment as independent chairman of an alliance of key organisations which will tackle issues across Western Australia’s $6billion agrifood sector.
The chairman of Lotterywest, immediate past president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and deputy chairman of the Committee for Perth, John Atkins, will chair the group of 13 representatives from major organisations which make up the Agrifood Alliance Western Australia (AAWA).
Mr Baston today commended Mr Atkins on his appointment to the AAWA, which was formed late last year as an independent industry-driven coalition of WA’s major agrifood organisations.
“This is the first time we have been able to draw all the main industry organisations together to provide a single representative voice,” he said.
“The agriculture and food sector needs to be united, focused and well co-ordinated to take full advantage of the growing world demand for food while promoting WA’s reputation as a safe and reliable food producer.
“Red tape reduction and access to skilled labour are two of the first issues being addressed by the group, however there are many more issues to be considered at upcoming meetings.”
The AAWA includes representation from WAFarmers, Pastoralists and Graziers Association, Fruit West, Sheep Industry Leadership Council, WA Beef Council, Wines of WA,
Grain Industry Association of WA, vegetablesWA, CCIWA Food Industry Advisory Group,
WA Pork Producers’ Association, Western Dairy, WA Chicken Meat Industry Association, and Commercial Egg Producers Association of WA.
The Department of Agriculture and Food provides executive support to the group.
Source: Ministerial Media Release
