“We welcome all feedback from members of the vegetable industry; as well as those in the supply chain, researchers, retailers and the public,” said AUSVEG Senior Communications Officer, Courtney Burger.

“This is a vital opportunity for the vegetable industry to have its say on the future of the industry, where more than $60 million of levy money will be spent on Research and Development over the next five years,” said Miss Burger.

The development of the SIP has been ongoing since 2010 and the final White Paper is scheduled to be released in May 2012 at the AUSVEG National Convention and Trade Show in Hobart, Tasmania.

“A monumental amount of work has been undertaken in the development of this plan to ensure that vegetable growers have been consulted not just once, but the entire way through the process to guarantee that the end document outlines the needs and priorities of Australian vegetable growers,” said Miss Burger.

“On top of countless individual meetings with key vegetable growers, two rounds of national consultation meetings were facilitated by AUSVEG in which growers from every corner of the country were able to have a firsthand say in how their levy funds should be spent for the future,” said Miss Burger.

Locations visited throughout the national consultation meetings included: Virginia, Wanneroo, Perth, Devonport, Werribee, Cranbourne, Bowen, Bundaberg and Bathurst.

To view the vegetable industry’s Strategic Investment Plan White Paper click here.

Comment regarding the SIP White Paper should be lodged in writing and either emailed or mailed to one of the following addresses, no later than Thursday 16 February 2012.