Seafood Services Australia Ltd: Adding Value Throughout The Seafood Supply Chain
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$3,860,000.00
Summary
The 1993 Fishing Industry National Study (FINS) clearly identified that more cohesive and efficient delivery of the types services now provided under SSA’s umbrella was required to address important areas of market failure in the seafood industry and to help the industry identify and captilise on significant opportunities for industry development through post harvest value adding.
SSA’s products, services, and its comprehensive standards development process, are recognised nationally, ....The 1993 Fishing Industry National Study (FINS) clearly identified that more cohesive and efficient delivery of the types services now provided under SSA’s umbrella was required to address important areas of market failure in the seafood industry and to help the industry identify and captilise on significant opportunities for industry development through post harvest value adding.
SSA’s products, services, and its comprehensive standards development process, are recognised nationally, by industry and governments, as having contributed significantly to the development of the Australian seafood industry, especially through keeping the industry abreast of legislative and technological change. SSA’s work is also being recognised internationally and used as a model for other primary industry sectors. See Appendix C – SSA Annual Operating Plan, December 2001 to June 2002. Recent evaluations have identified opportunities to further improve SSA’s delivery of products and services to all sectors of the industry.
Incorporation of SSA Ltd establishes a rigorous, transparent and accountable management regime with significant industry ownership that will further focus the SSA’s activities through corporate leadership, strategic vision and closer links with the industry on a national basis. Formal corporate directorship processes will also ensure SSA’s operates strategically within the broad industry development program outlined in the Investing for tomorrow’s fish: the FRDC’s research and development plan, 2000 to 2005.
The SSA Network brings together industry and government members from each State and Territory, and the Commonwealth to seek solutions to a wide range of seafood supply chain issues, including issues of market failure, from seafood safety through to environmental management systems. Experience over the past three years has demonstrated the pivotal role the Network plays in achieving SSA's outcomes so successfully. This project will strengthen the Network so that it can continue to have input into priorities and work programs, thereby ensuring SSA Ltd activities are responsive, cohesive, and appropriately targeted.
SSA Ltd provides a flexible and responsive mechanism that will for the first time, enable the seafood industry to attract private and public funding for seafood industry development from non-traditional funding sources. It will do this by encouraging and supporting people, businesses and organisations in the seafood industry who want to: 1. continually improve and add value to their businesses, 2. continually improve their environmental performance, 3. meet consumer expectations (especially in having high levels of confidence in Australian seafood products), and 4. receive broad community support for their activities.
SSA Ltd will is uniquely poised to foster unprecedented and sustainable seafood industry development, generating significant social and economic benefits to Australia. Objectives: 1. To underpin the further development of Seafood Services Australia Limited as a vital, national resource focused on industry development throughout the entire seafood supply chain 2. To enable SSA Ltd to build on the achievements of its predecessors and, in particular, to: a. inspire more strategic, integrated and forward-looking outlooks and actions among key players in the fishing industry and those who support the industry; b. encourage a “whole-of-supply-chain” approach to fisheries R&D planning and investment; c. encourage awareness and adoption of environmental management, quality management and food safety systems and associated certification; d. optimise national investment in fisheries R&D through influencing the way in which other R&D funding entities apply their industry development investments;e. deliver cost-effective, appropriate and timely knowledge, processes and technologies to enhance the industry’s profitability, international competitiveness and social resilience;f. develop and enhance effective networks within the seafood industry and between the seafood industry, researchers and government agencies involved in seafood industry development, both within Australia and overseas (See Section 5 of the Business Plan);g. facilitate the dissemination, adoption and commercialisation of research results and other material for the benefit of the seafood industry;h. provide commercially sound advice and investment relating to industry development R&D; 3. Position the seafood industry to meet future challenges by working with industry to develop and implement world’s best practice standards throughout the entire seafood supply chain. 4. Establish and maintain rigorous and accountable corporate governance procedures within SSA Ltd. 5. Establish a flexible and responsive mechanism that enables the seafood industry to attract private and public funding for seafood industry development from non-traditional funding sources. Read moreRead less
Randomised Controlled Trial Of Hepatitis B Vaccine Completion In Injecting Drug Users
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$463,355.00
Summary
This randomised trial will examine strategies to increase hepatitis B vaccination in drug users by comparing 1) usual clinical care; 2) enhanced outreach; and 3) financial incentive payments and assessing the proportion in each group who a) complete all 3 doses and b) develop immunity. Results will provide policy-makers and clinicians with important data on effectiveness, including cost effectiveness, and will help scientists and affected communities prepare for clinical trials of new vaccines.
Is Male Circumcision An Acceptable And Feasible Intervention To Reduce HIV Transmission In Papua New Guinea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$624,913.00
Summary
In PNG, Australia's nearest neighbour, 76 000 people live with HIV with predictions of up to 500 000 by 2025. African studies show 60% reduction in HIV if men are circumcised. Because relatively few men in PNG are circumcised, promoting circumcision may save thousands of lives. This study examines an NHMRC research priority area in Global Health by analysing social, cultural and religious aspects of circumcision. The study will assess if circumcision is an acceptable way to reduce HIV in PNG.
An Investigation Of The Relationship Between The Pharmaceutical Industry, Medical Profession And Medical Practitioners
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$186,449.00
Summary
In recent years there has been a rapid expansion in the number and range of interactions between the pharmaceutical industry and the medical profession. While this has the potential to advance research, education and health care, there are risks that such interactions may inappropriately serve commercial objectives and ultimately compromise the best interests of patients and society in general. Most major medical and pharmaceutical organisations have released guidelines of policy statements on t ....In recent years there has been a rapid expansion in the number and range of interactions between the pharmaceutical industry and the medical profession. While this has the potential to advance research, education and health care, there are risks that such interactions may inappropriately serve commercial objectives and ultimately compromise the best interests of patients and society in general. Most major medical and pharmaceutical organisations have released guidelines of policy statements on the relationship between the medical profession and the pharmaceutical industry. To date most debate has taken the form of personal observations or professional opinion , and there has been little objective research into medical industry interactions. This project aims to examine the relationship between the pharmaceutical industry, the medical profession and the medical practitioners. Specifically, the aim of this project is to establish whether this relationship as it currently exists, and as stated in guidelines from professional bodies, is appropriate in terms of justifiable ethical standards, empirical research and social perspectives. The results of this research will enable assessment of current guidelines and the development of further guidelines and regular process where appropriate.Read moreRead less
Children’s Perspectives On Their Social World: An Examination Of The Family, School And Community Factors That Influence Social Inclusion For Children Whose Parents Have Intellectual Disabilities.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$39,968.00
Summary
With a world first, Australian researchers explore the lives of children whose parents have intellectual disabilities. Mothers with intellectual disabilities are at risk of social isolation and exclusion which affects their parenting. Their children are at risk of stigma and peer rejection. From a child’s perspective, new research examines the features of family, school and community life that facilitate social inclusion for a group of children at risk of social exclusion.