Key to determining new program investment for 2019 is the AgriFutures™ Chicken Meat Program Advisory Panel, which recently welcomed panel member and former Deputy Chair Guy Hebblewhite into the position of Advisory Panel Chair.
As an experienced chicken meat producer and Nuffield Scholar, Guy was elevated to the position of Chair for his industry leadership, unique scientific and “hands on” field expertise, and commitment to the growth of the industry.
“I’m excited to continue my involvement with the AgriFutures™ Chicken Meat Program as Chair. Since joining the Advisory Panel in 2017, I have had the privilege of working with AgriFutures Australia and my peers to guide the program’s RD&E investment. We’re focused on investment in high-impact RD&E that will significantly benefit the industry and are designed to maintain the chicken meat industry’s position as the number one consumed meat in the country,” said Mr Hebblewhite.
With Mr Hebblewhite stepping into the role of Chair, the team are on the hunt for a new panel member to join the Advisory Panel and advise on RD&E program activity.
The AgriFutures™ Chicken Meat Program Advisory Panel is a key link between industry and the RD&E program, providing the structure to determine research priorities and make investment decisions. The Panel consists of a team of experts appointed for their knowledge and experience in RD&E and the chicken meat industry.
“The Advisory Panel offers a unique insight into the chicken meat industry. We have a diverse range of skills and expertise. This diversity has been the driving force behind RD&E investment and has played a pivotal role in securing new research projects for 2019,” said Mr Hebblewhite.
A series of open calls, or requests for research proposals, have run over the past six months to gather ideas to support the Program’s Five-Year RD&E Plan 2014-2019 and its objectives.
Manager, Research Georgina Townsend said the open call process has attracted projects and subsequent investment covering a wide range of national issues.
“The AgriFutures™ Chicken Meat Program has made a significant investment in projects that protect the industry’s value such as food safety, the impact on the environment and projects which enhance the industry’s performance, such as nutrition, welfare and biosecurity.
“For example a project to develop national environment planning guidelines will ensure the industry reduces compliance burdens, such as lower costs, faster development approval processes and reduced incidences of legal action, and provide better planning and environmental outcomes for the industry and community,” said Ms Townsend.
