http://www.ahga.org.au Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Association Issues and Events http://www.ahga.org.au/events/2009NICA/ The 2009 National Conference of the Australian Hydroponics & Greenhouse Industry to be held at the Sydney Showgrounds from 19–22 July 2009 will undoubtedly be the largest industry conference and trade exhibition of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region for 2009. The Conference and Exhibition is expected to attract 400–450 commercial growers and allied industry delegates from around Australia, New Zealand, throughout Asia, and elsewhere in the world. The large, fully integrated trade exhibition will provide a unique opportunity for businesses associated with commercial hydroponic and greenhouse crop production to showcase their products. The Conference and Exhibition will provide sponsors the chance to forge closer links with commercial growers and industry specialists. http://www.ahga.org.au/events/2009EGST/ Contact: Graeme Smith president@ahga.org.au or Ph: 0427 339 009 http://www.phgtv.com.au/ 2007 National Industry Conference of the AHGA Video Report. http://www.ahga.org.au/events/2007EGST/ On the morning of the 4th October 2007, 15 growers and 1 'ring in' (me) from Australia rendezvoused at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. Some had come direct from Australia, others like me had been lucky enough to spend some holiday time in Europe before being part of the 2007 European Greenhouse Study Tour... http://www.ahga.org.au/events/2006GVSTH/ The purpose of the project was to assess existing, new and emerging greenhouse technologies and how they may be integrated in existing systems in Australia. http://localhost/ahga/issues/newfertilizerregulations/ In June 2004, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to a national licensing system to limit access to ammonium nitrate because of its history of terrorist use and concern about its ready availability. However, for many hydroponic growers, the introduction of a licensing system could present major problems. Here, the AHGA outlines the criteria for obtaining a licence, and alternatives to ammonium nitrate where a licence isn't required. http://www.ahga.org.au/issues/bumblebee/ An application submitted by the Australian Hydroponic and Greenhouse Association (AHGA) for the live import of the bumblebee Bombus terrestris onto mainland Australia for the purpose of pollinating greenhouse crops, is currently before the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA). The DEWHA will assess the environmental risks of this proposal. The process involved the preparation of a draft report to the Department in 2005. This was listed on the DEWHA (then DEH) website for public comment and was also circulated to government departments for their comments. At the end of this period the comments were provided to the AHGA for a response and an opportunity provided to amend the draft report. A final report plus the responses to both sets of comments has been submitted to the DEWHA. A brief and recommendation will be prepared for the Minister who will then make a decision. http://www.ahga.org.au/issues/biosecurity/ Contents: - Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid - Lettuce Aphid - Western Flower Thrips http://www.ahga.org.au/issues/productimportrisks/ Australian greenhouse tomato growers should be seriously concerned about Biosecurity Australia's (BA) approval to allow the import of greenhouse tomatoes from New Zealand and Holland. Apart from facing increased competition, their import seriously threatens Australian horticulture crops. http://www.ahga.org.au/issues/minorusepermits/ A permit allows a person or an organisation to use... http://www.ahga.org.au/issues/relicensingcalciumpotassium/ I have grave concerns about the consideration being given by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to extend the High Consequence Dangerous Goods (HCDG) legislation, or its equivalent, to include potassium and calcium nitrate. This would almost certainly have a catastrophic impact upon the commercial hydroponic industry in Australia. http://www.ahga.org.au/issues/rebansolublefertilizers/ We have grave concerns about the consideration being given by the Western Australian Government to ban the use of soluble fertilisers. This would almost certainly have a catastrophic impact upon the local commercial hydroponic industry.