The Fresh Produce Safety Australia & New Zealand (FPSANZ) project, a joint initiative by the University of Sydney Faculty of Agriculture and Environment (USyd FAE) and PMA Australia - New Zealand (PMA A-NZ), will join other public and industry research groups to partner with the Center for Produce Safety (CPS) at the University of California - Davis (UC Davis). The partnership will make USD $3 million available to fund general and commodity-specific research aimed at addressing the fresh produce industry's food safety research needs.
As a first step in this partnership, FPSANZ and the CPS are requesting joint research proposals from Australian and US scientists from industry, government and academic communities to address two major research priorities, which were identified at an industry Fresh Produce Safety Forum in November 2012:
- Compost, Soil Amendment Fertiliser Use, and Cultivation Practices; and
- Agricultural Water
- The CPS will help identify collaborative partners for those interested in this program.
“In the longer term, the project will develop a collaborative research model utilising existing research and information, as well as bringing together international experts, representatives of government, industry associations, growers, packers and processors, wholesalers and retailers, food safety trainers and practitioners" said Associate Professor Robyn McConchie, Head of the Department of Plant and Food Science at USyd, "The focus is on filling the knowledge gaps on fresh produce food safety in Australia and New Zealand, and protecting and enhancing food quality and safety in fresh produce.”
Dr. Bob Whitaker, Chief Science and Technology Officer of the Produce Marketing Association, and Chair of the CPS Technical Committee, is confident that it will be a valuable partnership.
"I am particularly encouraged by the diverse collection of partners that have chosen to participate in this year’s request and look forward to working with them as we review proposals for funding" he said.
The Fresh Produce Safety Australia & New Zealand project has been established using voluntary funds from the USyd FAE and PMA-ANZ, with matched funding from the Australian Government through Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL). For more details, and to download the call for proposals, please visit freshproducesafety-anz.com.
For more information:
Erika Watson
Fresh Produce Safety
Tel: +61 2 8627 1005
Mob: +61 450 061 434
[email protected]
www.freshproducesafety-anz.com
