The appointment, with China’s Chengdu Grain Storage Research Institute (CGSRI), will strengthen research and development ties targeting stored grain.

The CGSRI is a grain storage research, development and quality inspection facility, administered by the People’s Republic of China’s State Administration of Grain.

The department’s Irrigated Agriculture and Diversification Executive Director Terry Hill said the appointment would assist grains research collaboration between Western Australia and China.

“Rob has worked with Chinese colleagues during two previous visits to China and is looking forward to further collaborative work on grain hygiene and storage,” he said.

“He is believed to be one of just three scientists granted this title with the CGSRI.”

CGSRI President Prof. Guo Daolin presented the letter of appointment during the International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection in Portugal.

Mr Emery said he would return to China later this year to view the institute’s facilities.

“There is great potential for more collaboration between our organisation and the institute, particularly on areas such as phosphine resistance management,” he said.

China is a significant importer of Australian grain. “The country moves vast amounts of grain, with about 200 million tonnes in long-term storage and a similar amount handled from year to year,” Mr Emery said.