Strategic Review

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  • Last Updated on Monday, 22 August 2011 13:22
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Strategic Review

Directors engaged in a free-ranging discussion on broad issues relevant to ASA's future operating environment and operations over the next five years. The main issues identified were:

  • the long-term future of OECD Certification with the increasing move to proprietary varieties and companies developing their own QA systems;
  • the impact on ASA of a decrease in the need for OECD Certification and if there may be a role for ASA in QA schemes;
  • if / how OECD will incorporate the use of new technology into its Certification Schemes (eg the test being developed by AgWest and Saturn Biotechnology for sub clover);
  • the role that ASA might play in industry problems e.g potential removal of government subsidies of AQIS costs;
  • one of ASA's primary roles is to promote the use of Certified Seed and ensure that all Australian growers have the option of Certified Seed;
  • markets will determine the future direction and ASA should not become involved in political issues;
  • we need to put emphasis on services to our members and encourage seed growers to become members of ASA.

Further discussion followed on possible content for the ASA website and directors identified the following possibilities:

  • articles to educate consumers on seed quality issues e.g. the value of seed certification, ASA's role with AOSCA, explanation of the information on a statement of seed analysis etc;
  • a calendar of events
  • a facility to conduct polls on-site;
  • links to ASA service providers and ISTA-accredited seed testing laboratories;
  • links to RIRDC and relevant RIRDC reports;
  • links to ASA member websites with an option for paid advertising on those links;
  • links to training providers with the option of paid advertising on those links;
  • a method of measuring the number of visitors to the site.

Directors also agreed that:

  • it could be worth investigating the opportunity for providing paid advertisements on the website, but for this to be successful would require the website to be attractive to the buyers of seed and the buyers of seed services;