Ministerial media release no. Nine grain growers from the northern agricultural region have formed the Liebe Grain company after being accredited under Agriculture Western Australia's SQF 1000 CM quality code. Mr Chance said it was important for Western Australian primary industries to adopt recognised quality assurance systems as a means of ensuring food safety and to guarantee market access.
Quality systems are as much about international trade as they are about food safety.
He said the SQF 1000 CM code was selected by the Liebe growers because it enabled them to include other farm enterprises such as sheep and cattle production under the one quality assurance system. One of the growers had used the SQF 1000 CM code to quality assure his whole farm, which included grain, hay, pigs, beef, lamb and wool production and the preparation of feed grain. These innovative growers have highlighted the benefits of working together as part of a progressive grower team. The establishment of Liebe Grain will help brand the group's quality assured grain and provide a distinct marketing advantage. The costs of establishing and implementing the process was supported by the agency in a pilot project to help provide a working example of a quality assurance system for the grains industry.