Beekeeping Industry Unification

Beekeeping Industry Unification

– Interim Working Group report November 2015

During a very successful National Apiculture Conference early this year, attendee’s signalled to industry leadership their desire to progress towards a single representation body.

Subsequently an Interim Working Group (IWG) was established of key industry members who were charged with investigating all possible options to determine the best structure for the industry moving forward.

Critical to this process was the understanding that industry stakeholders were seeking inclusive unification and a strong voice at the agri-sector policy table. Future success on the world stage will require a united industry working together to ensure that the integrity of our products and services are maintained at all times.

Over the last three months the Interim Working Group has met three times to determine the best pathway forward. This is driven by a clear understanding that as an industry we must deliver a very robust industry model which will meet the challenges we will face over the next decade and beyond.

To provide all stakeholders with a clear understanding of where the industry is positioned at present and to explore all possible models for a united and all inclusive industry, the IWG determined that in the best interests of all, an independent facilitation company should be appointed to consult with industry at all levels and report back with their findings and recommendations.

Expressions of interest were sort during October and the appointment of the successful company will occur later this month. It is expected progress will be swift from that point. Should you be contacted we ask that you are open and frank with them during the interview process as they seek to understand current and future expectations of all industry stakeholders.

The work of the facilitation company will be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2015, at which time they will be in a position to deliver their final recommendation(s) and report back to the IWG.

The basis of this report will most likely provide the platform for the structure and funding of the united industry model our industry desires.

ends

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