AUSVEG CEO Richard Mulcahy, together with Syngenta Australia General Manager Paul Luxton, today announced that leading Agriscience company, Syngenta, and grower representative body, AUSVEG, have forged a new strategic partnership.

Syngenta develops seeds and crop protection products for growers worldwide, employing 24,000 people in over 90 countries. The Australian arm helps growers produce better food through innovative crop solutions.

As the national peak industry body, AUSVEG represents the interests of over 9,000 Australian vegetable and potato growers from the $3.7 billion wholesale Australian vegetable industry.

The decision to formalise the partnership between Syngenta and AUSVEG will have positive benefits for the Australian vegetable industry, in particular its growers.

‘We are excited about the opportunities we foresee will arise from this new partnership between AUSVEG and Syngenta. Syngenta has an annual worldwide investment of AUD $1.1 billion in research and development. The resources and influence the company has in our industry will benefit Australian vegetable growers immensely,’ said
AUSVEG CEO Richard Mulcahy.

The partnership will result in close collaboration between the two organisations on issues specific to the horticulture industry and enable growers to share in the collective expertise of the organisations.

‘Syngenta has a strong tradition of supporting local agriculture and a proven commitment to our industry,’ he went on to say.

AUSVEG Chairman John Brent welcomed the partnership, ‘The AUSVEG Board is thrilled and proud to announce this partnership, we are looking forward to forging a strong relationship with Syngenta and working together for the betterment of the agricultural industry.’

Syngenta will be involved in a number of industry events planned to take place over the next 12 months, including the AUSVEG National Convention, Trade Show, and National Awards for Excellence scheduled to be held in Queensland in May 2010.

MEDIA CONTACT: Hugh Tobin, Communications Manager, AUSVEG
Phone: (03) 9544 8098, Mobile: 0431 939 920, Email: hugh.tobin@ausveg.com.au

AUSVEG website www.ausveg.com.au

Syngenta Australasia website www.syngenta.com.au