Recognising and rewarding excellence in environmental assurance,

quality assurance and/or food safety

An award for Australian primary producers who exemplify a commitment to environmental assurance, quality assurance and/or food safety in their business and farming operations.
Entries welcome from ALL AUSTRALIAN STATES and TERRITORIES!

Congratulations to the 2009 TQA Global Insights Award winner

Christina McPherson of Tinaberries in Queensland has been awarded the inaugural $10,000 travel grant for her demonstrated passion and commitment to product quality and environmental management.

Ms McPherson  will use the Award grant to study the techniques and strategies being used in Europe’s strawberry production hub of Huelva, Spain.

“As farmers, we have to be responsible for preserving the health of our immediate and surrounding environment,” Ms McPherson said.  “I am very keen to find out how Spanish producers comply with environmental assurance programs and how this is used to leverage a market advantage. The strawberry growers of Huelva are supplying greengrocers, whose customers are some of the most discerning consumers in Europe. They strive for a point of difference and I wish to learn about their approach to responsible and sustainable farming practises. I also plan to visit the University of Huelva to learn more about the environmental benefits of soil-less cultivation techniques."

Deputy Chair of TQA Australia, and a judge of the Awards, Jane Melross, said Christina has undertaken a journey of farming with commitment to quality and environmental assurance, and has demonstrated a strong understanding of the challenges that face small growers as they try to balance sustainable farming with the practicalities of running an agricultural business.

Download the TQA Global Insights Award announcement here.

2009 TQA Global Insights Award finalists

Congratulations to the other 2009 TQA Global Insights Award finalists:

• Michael Blake - Bally Glunin Park (VIC)

• Rosie Mackinnon - Tasmanian Natural Garlic (TAS)

The 2009 TQA Global Insights Award finalists at the award ceremony on 11 November 2009.

Michael Blake, Christina McPherson and Rosie Mackinnon

You can download and read the finalist announcement here.

You can see all three of the finalists presentations here.

Thank you to all of the 2009 TQA Global Insights Award entrants for your commitment to excellence in on-farm food safety, quality assurance and/or environmental management.

What is the award?

The TQA Global Insights Award winner receives up to a $10,000 AUD travel grant to be used on an overseas visit to a market(s) specified in their application. The award provides an opportunity for the winner to meet overseas producers and customers to strengthen and extend market understanding, relationships and business opportunities. The award must be utilised within nine months of the winner announcement on 11 November 2009.

You can download and read the TQA Global Insights Award press release here.

Who is eligible to enter?

• Australian citizen primary producers in any sector and from ANY state or territory in Australia who demonstrate a commitment to food safety / quality assurance / environmental assurance practices.
• Entrants must hold certification to a food safety, quality or environmental assurance system which is third party and current.
• Preference is given to producers who do not outsource the entire management of their food safety, quality or environmental assurance programs to third parties (refer to entry instructions below for further details).
• Employees of TQA, TQA Board members and their immediate families are ineligible.

Important dates for the 2009 application round

• Applications open
  7 May 2009
• Applications close
  14 August 2009
• Application assessment and shortlist
  17 August - 4 September 2009
• Finalists announced
  18 September 2009
• Finalist assessment
  18 September - 9 October 2009
• Winner announced
  11 November 2009 at the Keep it Real conference dinner in Launceston Tasmania

Details of the 2010 application round will be available from this web site in January 2010.

How do I enter?

1. Download and complete a TQA Global Insights Award application form.
2. Write an entry proposal. Your entry proposal must be typed in any format and must include:
   (a) Objectives of your overseas visit.
   (b) Description of your proposed itinerary and budget allocation. Include details of proposed destinations and specific farm and/or customer visits that you would undertake.
   (c) Examples of how the outcomes of your overseas visit could be practically applied in your own business.
   (d) Details of food safety / quality assurance / environmental assurance programs already implemented in your business, including when the programs commenced. Special emphasis should be given to innovative programs, tools or techniques.
   If you use a third party to manage components of your system, these components should be clearly identified in the program description. For example, an internal audit may be witnessed by an independent party, or food safety training may be implemented by certified practitioners etc.
   (e) A description of what you see as the key future opportunities and challenges in food safety / quality assurance / environmental assurance in your industry sector.
   (f) Details of study tours that you have previously undertaken (national or international, including relevant conference attendance).
3. Send your signed application form and entry proposal to TQA by email or post so that it arrives by close of business 14 August 2009.
   Send entries to:
   Jane Lovell
   C/- TQA Global Insights Award
   Tasmanian Quality Assured Inc
   PO Box 46
   Don Tasmania 7310
   
   Or via email to:
   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
   
   Note: Fax entries will not be accepted.
4. Participate in interviews and make a verbal presentation about your overseas visit proposal as part of the shortlist process.

TQA Global Insights Award terms and conditions

Please download and read a copy of the TQA Global Insights Award terms and conditions before submitting your entry.

Questions?

Call the TQA Australia office on 03 6423 6008 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Go back to the TQA Australia home page