South Perth, Western Australia
October 29, 2010

Grains industry players from around the world will meet in Perth in early December for an International Grains Forum to be held in association with the 32nd Session of the London-based International Grains Council (IGC).

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia are co-hosting the event. The Council Session will be held on 7 December followed by the Forum on 8 December and a Field Tour on the following day.

The IGC is the intergovernmental organisation responsible for administering the Grains Trade Convention (1995), which encourages international cooperation in grains trading to promote market stability and enhance food security.

The Forum will be open to the public and feature international speakers who will provide a global perspective on grains supply and demand, world grain trading trends, price and market challenges and food security.

John Aylieff of the United Nations’ World Food Programme will deliver one of two keynote addresses on the role of grains in underpinning global food security, including a short and long term outlook.

Agrocorp International Managing Director Vijay Iyengar’s keynote address will provide an overview of the future grains market with respect to globalisation, supply and demand.

Other speakers include Macquarie Group Executive Director Anthony Abraham, U.S. Wheat Associates Vice President of Overseas Operations Vince Peterson, Vittera South East Asia President Rob Gordon along with representatives from the China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Import and Export Corporation, the CBH Group and CSIRO.

Participants can also choose to take part in the Field Tour which will include CBH Group’s Metro Grains Centre, the Australian Grains Centre, Viterra Malt and well known Western Australian grain grower Rob Sewell’s property.

For more information about the International Grains Forum and the Field Tour, or to register, visit www.igc.int.

Website: http://www.daff.gov.au

Published: October 29, 2010