By BGGA CEO Jenn Honnery
WITH THE Queensland state election just a couple of months away, the Bowen Gumlu Growers Association (BGGA) has recently focused on our advocacy efforts, to ensure our region and industry is front of mind.
Myself and BGGA president Carl Walker travelled to Brisbane, earlier this month, to meet with several politicians, in conjunction with the Queensland Horticulture Council.
Productive consultations were had with Minister for Agriculture Mark Furner, Shadow Minister for Agriculture Tony Perrett, and Greens Senator Larissa Waters.
As a group, the QHC raised several industry specific issues including water, road infrastructure, labour and industry relations, and payroll tax.
Following these joint meetings, Carl and I met with Minister Furner and his team to continue the conversation around the Bowen Pipeline project, reinforcing the need for water security for our growers and new industry.
We also welcomed the Director General of Agriculture and Fisheries Graeme Bolton and Chief Biosecurity Officer Rachel Chay, to Bowen, last week, showcasing some of the advancements in horticulture occurring in the region.
Also last week, BGGA commenced the rollout of the National Fall Armyworm surveillance program.
The Fall Armyworm is a new pest in Australia, arriving in 2020, and it is quickly spreading across North Queensland and into Bowen’s sweetcorn crops.
While these critters prefer corn and sorghum, they’ve also been detected in several other important commodities in our region and across the country.
The surveillance program, led nationally by BGGA and funded through the VegNET Innovation Fund, will see RapidAim traps established in key growing regions across Australia.
The traps will monitor the movement of Fall Armyworm and provide data to growers to help inform and manage pest control measures.
Finally, BGGA is proud to partner with ‘Thankful for Farmers’ at this year’s Brisbane Ekka, and work with a team of 21 celebrity and local chefs to introduce the public to great recipes using our local produce.
This is shaping up to be a great opportunity to talk about the region and our premium produce.
