Background

Representing the post farm gate grains industry

NACMA was formed in Tamworth, NSW in 1991 by state based merchant organisations who recognised that common terms of trade and grain specifications were needed to enable efficient commercial grain transactions to occur.

Since its creation, NACMA’s contribution to the Australian grain industry has been significant with the production of:

• a standards manual
• industry protocols for trade rules, contracts and dispute resolution
• communications/policy forums (Agriculture Australia Conference and Common Interest Forums)
• voice to government on regulatory issues

Structural changes within the grain industry and evolving contract alternatives necessitated the need for NACMA to re-evaluate its strategic direction.

Late in 2002, the NACMA Board commissioned a review to explore the alternatives to take the organisation forward.

NACMA in 2003

• Following the comprehensive review of its structure and activities, the NACMA board has implemented a number of changes to ensure that it continues to enhance the services to members.
• The demand for NACMA services continues to grow as the industry relies less on regulation and more on self-regulation. NACMA today has a strong, fulltime, professional secretariat which along with a new membership structure will enable it to efficiently develop process and policy standards for the conduct of commercial grain activities between its members.

NACMA’s functions today:

• give greater focus to the commercial issues
• embraces more segments of the value chain
• provides an apolitical forum for discussion of industry issues

What’s New

The Constitution reflects changes to:

• membership categories
• Board composition
• objects to reflect NACMA as the apolitical forum in which industry debate is encouraged.

While not a policy body, NACMA will seek to act as spokesperson, as appropriate, for the commercial sector of the grains industry where all members would be affected, e.g., financial services legislation, GST.

Board Composition will reflect the balance of industry interests and consist of a maximum of 12 directors, comprising:-

• A minimum of 1 and maximum of 2 from Ordinary Member
• Level A A minimum of 1 and maximum of 2 from Ordinary Member
• Level B One representative from Ordinary Member
• Level C Minimum of 1 and maximum of 3 from the Merchant Association Members and/or Associate Members.
• Other directors invited with appropriate skills and experience (with members to ratify at AGM).

Maximum of one Director at any one time from any one company/ organisation.