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Wednesday, 8 July 2009 The Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia (RGA) today announced that newly appointed MDBA Chairman Michael Taylor AO will make his first public address in the Riverina to irrigators at its Annual Conference in Deniliquin on 6 August 2009. RGA President Les Gordon said this year’s conference theme was Secure Water = Secure Food, and Mr. Taylor's keynote address would be a major draw card for irrigators across the Murray Darling Basin. "The past 12 months have seen rice and other grains become the focus of unprecedented demand and civil unrest around the world," he said. "There is growing recognition that we have a role to play in feeding both Australians and the world, but we can't do this without water. We've invited Mr. Taylor to address the balance between food production and the environment, and he will speak to the topic Murray Darling Basin Water Resources – The Challenge Ahead. This is Mr. Taylor’s first public address to irrigators in our region, and we are very pleased to be providing this forum through our conference." Joining Mr. Taylor are speakers David Keldie – General Manager, Consumer Markets, at SunRice; and Justin Sherrard – General Manager, Food and Agribusiness Research and Advisory, at Rabobank Australia Ltd. “Mr. Keldie will address the demand for Australian rice around the world, examining trends on the global grain markets, while providing an overview of key SunRice marketing and product development initiatives,” said Mr. Gordon. “Mr. Sherrard will use his global experience and insight to talk about the increasing demand for food in the context of supply constraints, and what this means for the industry going forward. In addition, Water4Food’s Cr. Terry Hogan will address delegates.” Mr. Gordon said this year the conference dinner was back on the billing, with a casual affair planned at the Deniliquin Golf Club at a cost of $20 per person. “We’ve got a full day at conference will excellent speakers that will ensure robust and lively debate on the critical and intertwined issues of water and food production. It will be followed by a relaxed dinner and opportunity to network. It promises to be a great event and we hope to see as many growers there as possible.” The RGA 2009 Annual Conference will be held at the Deniliquin RSL Club on Thursday 6 August 2009 from 10am – 5.00pm. Conference is free for financial RGA members and their partners; however tickets are available to anyone interested at $50 per person. Drinks will follow at the Denilquin Golf Club from 6.30pm, with dinner from 7.30pm at the subsidised cost of $20 per person. Registrations for the conference close on 28 July 2009. For more information visit www.rga.org.au or phone (02) 6953 0433. CONTACT |
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