A thorough review of the operations of the Potato Marketing Authority is set to commence next week.
Agriculture Minister Ernie Bridge said the independent review - which was required under legislation - would look at the effectiveness of present arrangements and whether continued Government involvement in potato marketing was warranted.
It would comment on any aspect of State Government involvement in the potato industry which impinged on efficient and effective production, processing and marketing of potatoes, and advise on the consequences for production, employment, regional areas, exports, and domestic consumption of implementing changes.
Mr Bridge said the Potato Marketing Authority had been the subject of considerable debate in recent weeks, following the release of a report by the Edgell/Birdseye Working Group on potato processing in WA.
"That report will be considered by the review committee, and it is important that all interested parties take the opportunity to make submissions to ensure a full and thorough examination of the issues," he said.
The independent review committee will be chaired by Professor Murray Hawkins, Dean of Muresk Agricultural Facility, Curtin University.
Its members include Mr David McIntyre of McIntyre & Associates and grower Jack Bendotti, with two other persons representing the vegetable processing industry and consumers, to be confirmed early next week.
Their report is due no later than December 31, but Mr Bridge said he anticipated a much earlier response.
