The Australian Chicken Growers’ Council (ACGC) has appointed David Inall as its new chief executive officer, taking over from Dr. Joanne Sillince, who has been acting CEO for over a year.
“I am thrilled to join an industry that at the farm gate is valued at $3.9 billion, supports nearly 60,000 Australian jobs and comprises more than 700 Australian farms dedicated to growing meat chickens,” said Inall.
“ACGC has championed the growers’ voices since the 1980s, and I look forward to building on that legacy – amplifying our members’ concerns and driving sustainable growth for Australian chicken growers.”
The organisation stated Inall brings more than three decades of leadership experience across agricultural and grocery sectors, positioning the ACGC to navigate upcoming industry challenges and opportunities.
ACGC chairman, Owen Shaw, said the timing of Inall’s appointment is pivotal.
“With ABARES set to release the much-anticipated Australian Chicken Meat Industry Review Report this month, our growers expect an agile organisation that can respond quickly to emerging issues,” said Shaw.
“ACGC is committed to supporting and servicing the needs of growers nationally and we are pleased that David has joined us at this time. David’s proven track record – leading the Cattle Council of Australia, Australian Dairy Farmers, Master Grocers Australia, and serving five years in the United States with United Egg Producers – will be invaluable as we advocate for our members.”
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) was commissioned to conduct an independent review into the relationship between growers and integrated producers in the Australian chicken meat supply chain in March, considering information contained in recent inquiries into the industry, as well as examining the industry’s evolution over time.
In April, the organisation released an Issues Paper and was seeking stakeholder submissions and meeting with major growers, integrated producers, grower and producer federations and associations, state governments, and research bodies across all parts of the chicken meat industry to help inform the report.
Recent movement in the industry has included the poultry company that supplies almost a quarter of the chickens consumed every year in Australia, ProTen, changing hands from Aware Super to global investment firm, KKR, for a reported $1.3 billion.
