News on Industry Associations from Oceania

A cartoon portraying Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard and senior ministers as children playing a video game has been launched by the potato industry as part of its war to block imports of New Zealand potatoes.

The public debate between AUSVEG and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) in Australia continues, with AUSVEG querying DAFF’s decision to go ahead with plans in light of South Korea’s decision to suspend imports of US potatoes due to concerns over zebra chip disease.

AUSVEG has “wrongly accused” the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) of basing quarantine conditions on outdated information, and of avoiding accountability, says DAFF.

Potatoes South Australia, the newly formed peak industry body for the South Australian Potato Industry, has appointed Robbie Davis to the role of Chief Executive Officer. “We’re delighted that Robbie is joining us,” the Chairman of the Board of Pota...

South Canterbury potato growers look to be digging up a bumper crop this season as harvesting gets well underway. The region has about 35 growers, growing a variety of commercial varieties.

Potatoes New Zealand is coming under the international spotlight for its groundbreaking initiatives promoting healthy eating choices to children and young people.

AUSVEG, the peak industry body for vegetable and potato growers, will be holding a potato industry seminar in Tasmania for growers, processors and other interested industry parties. The seminar will be the first in a series of seminars that AUSVEG wil...

Potatoes South Australia has appointed a leading industry stalwart as its inaugural chief executive officer. Jonathan Eccles started this week in the new role of CEO of Potatoes South Australia. Mr Eccles was previously the CEO of Australian Banana Gr...

Want to know the real way to a woman's heart this Valentine's Day? Look no further than the humble potato.

New Zealand potato exports reached a record high in the past year as more than $100 million worth of produce left New Zealand shores. Over 93,000 metric tonnes of potatoes, including 30,000 tonnes of fresh potatoes and 62,000 tonnes in frozen product...

AUSVEG CEO Richard Mulcahy today confirmed the reappointment of AUSVEG Chairman John Brent and Deputy Chairman Geoff Moar. Mr Brent was unanimously reappointed as Chairman of the Board, along with Deputy Chairman, Geoff Moar, who was also unanimousl...

Fourth-generation potato farmer Dominic Prendergast is hoping for a better potato season than last year. At the beginning of this year he led a group of Ballarat growers in a successful protest for better prices against global food giant McCain. In M...

The recent General Assembly of the United Nations was a landmark event as it was only the second time the UN had met to discuss health issues - with the last health meeting being held in 2001 and focused on the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The United Nations...

A major pest called the tomato potato psyllid, has cost the potato industry over a $120 million since its initial discovery in 2006, according to a new report from Potatoes New Zealand. Ron Gall, Business Manager for Potatoes New Zealand, presented th...

In response to data that Australian imports of vegetables have tripled between 2000 and 2010 AUSVEG spokesperson Andrew White today warned this increase poses a threat to the Australian vegetable industry and the community.

Ballarat district potato growers have struck a new price deal with McCain Foods, months ahead of schedule. The growers will be paid an increase of $15 a tonne of potatoes for next year's crop.

Some Western Australian potato growers feel they are not getting enough support from their marketing body Western Potatoes to help them get new varieties onto the market.