Industry leaders and members of the Tasmanian vegetable industry will attend a topical breakfast meeting in Devonport, Tasmania this morning to learn about sustainability in agriculture, resource efficiency and EnviroVeg – an industry driven program encouraging environmental best practice within the Australian vegetable industry.  

Hosted by AUSVEG, as part of the EnviroVeg program, attendees will hear from former ABC rural reporter, Eliza Wood, who will share her story and thoughts on sustainability in agriculture.

“This event will provide Tasmanian vegetable growers and high level industry stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds a valuable opportunity to hear about sustainability in agriculture, insight into the Tasmanian Farming Futures project and the EnviroVeg Platinum scheme,” said AUSVEG Environment Coordinator, Tim Shue.

AUSVEG is the leading horticultural body representing Australia’s 9,000 vegetable and potato growers.

Anna Renkin, consultant with the RM Consulting Group, will also join the breakfast to present on the Tasmanian Farming Futures project which provides support for Tasmanian landholders and advisors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to increase on-farm efficiency.

“The Tasmanian Farming Futures project is available to support farmers in the face of an ever-changing industry, to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in areas such as soil management, water and energy use efficiency and nutrient use efficiency,” said Mr Shue.

AUSVEG Executive, Mr Jordan Brooke-Barnett, will discuss recent developments in the EnviroVeg program, including the EnviroVeg Platinum scheme, an industry driven environmental accreditation program for Australian vegetable growers.

“The EnviroVeg Platinum scheme has assisted a number of leading vegetable growing operations around Australia successfully complete independent audits, and in turn become environmentally accredited under the EnviroVeg Platinum program,” said Mr Shue.

EnviroVeg is funded by Horticulture Australia Limited using the National Vegetable Levy and matched funding from the Australian Government.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Tim Shue, Environment Coordinator, AUSVEG, Phone: (03) 9882 0277 Mobile: 0404 799 166 E-mail: tim.shue@ausveg.com.au