NFF welcomes new R&D Chairs

The National Farmers’ Federation has welcomed the appointment of prominent agriculture industry figures Kay Hull, Richard Haire and Ron Boswell as Chairs of key Research and Development Corporations.
Mrs Hull will chair the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) while Mr Haire will assume the role of chair of the Cotton Research Development Corporation (CRDC) and Mr Boswell chair of the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC).
NFF President, Brent Finlay, said Mrs Hull would bring a broad range of skills in rural and regional leadership and business to this important position that would greatly benefit the thriving Australian agriculture industry.
“Mrs Hull brings with her extensive experience across rural and regional Australia and has a successful history in a range of leadership roles including being a former Deputy Mayor of Wagga Wagga, former Chair of the Council of Tourist Associations, has served on a range of parliamentary committees and spent a number of years as the Member for Riverina,” Mr Finlay said.
“She is ideally qualified and positioned to now take the lead on decisions surrounding how funds are invested in research to enhance the performance of the rural sector at this time of great opportunity for Australian food and fibre.
“Mr Haire has served in served in a number of senior roles including Managing Director of Queensland Cotton and is a member of the Rabo Australia Food and Agribusiness Advisory Board.
“His exceptional skills across business and industry will ensure his appointment will be of key benefit to the CRDC and an asset to the cotton industry.
“In his long political career, Mr Boswell had a passion for the agriculture and fishing industries and worked hard for the the regional communities of Australia and will no doubt provide great leadership in his new role.”
Mr Finlay thanked outgoing chairs Professor Daniela Stehlik, Dr Mary Corbett and Harry Woods.
“Australian agriculture has benefited from the work of Professor Stehlik, Dr Corbett and Mr Woods in these positions and we have most certainly valued our working relationship with them over recent years,” he said