Australia
July 2015
In an exciting and positive new initiative for the Australian melon industry, Bayer CropScience Australia and the Australian Melon Association (AMA) are launching a research fund, "Protecting Your Future".
Protecting Your Future will support research initiatives in the melon industry that will provide widespread benefits for all growers. Bayer will donate part of the proceeds of the sale of products to the fund which will be administered by a partnership of the AMA and Bayer.
Funds for Protecting Your Future are generated by grower support of Bayer products. For each litre of BELT®, Movento® or Confidor® Guard purchased from 1 June 2015 to 31 May 2016, Bayer will contribute $5 per litre to the fund. In addition, Bayer will make a contribution based on support of Bayer Vegetable Seeds melon and watermelon varieties. This is at no cost to growers but will benefit the entire melon industry.
One of the first initiatives will support research into Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus (CGMMV) that poses a serious threat to the future of the Australian melon industry. Research into best management is urgently required to maintain viability for all industry stakeholders.
AMA Chairman Mark Daunt welcomed the new partnership and said Bayer CropScience Australia has long supported the melon industry but Protecting Your Future has taken the partnership another step closer. "Bayer has been a sponsor of the melon industry for a number of years and this fund shows the commitment of a large multinational company to being part of the Australian melon industry" Mr Daunt said.
Tim O'Grady, Business Development Manager Bayer CropScience Australia has worked closely with AMA to develop the fund. Mr O'Grady commented that it was rewarding to see Protecting Your Future get off the ground and become a resource for the melon industry. "Bayer is keen to show its support for the Australian melon industry and we hope that this is just the beginning of the fund." Mr O'Grady said.
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