1. What were two issues raised at the Forum that were the most relevant to your current work/thinking on EMS?
Legal due diligence
Case studies
How can we develop partnerships to get national recognition and support of EMS
Get and keep people engaged in EMS
Too many models and different versions of industry based EMS
The need to simplify the process and link to NRM bodies, targets and funding
EMS in manufacturing and construction sections
Eco-mapping methodology
What’s in an EMS for me
Importance of communication
Purists vs pragmatists
Integration of EMS into supply chain or product certification
Integration of EMS into NRM or CMA group processes
Forming a cohesive EMS purpose message to prospective participants
Returning with diverse groups to achieve goals of EMS
Marketing of EMS to potential users
EMS – an alternative to legislation
Need to have one central process – then be customised to suit individuals
Engaging additional/potential stakeholders
“Pull drivers” vs “push” supply (of EMS certified products/services)
A practical approach to EMS is required
EMS participants need ongoing support
Opportunities, eco-labelling /branding of EMS principles and standards whilst maintaining flexible delivery options / platforms eg. WA tourism branding
Keeping EMS relevant to farmers
Developing uniformity in application of EMS training, facilitation and certification
2. What contribution do you believe you can make to progressing the use of EMS within Australia / your industry? (eg. Training, support/mentoring, ‘marketing EMS’, provision of technical information etc.)
Marketing and communication for awareness and adoption
Eco-mapping
Share lessons and provide a framework for training, provision of technical information, support and accessing funds
Training / mentoring other trainers
EMS design and implementation methodology
Advice on EMS legal obligations
Interpreter – take the large documents and all its jargon and acronyms and put it into a language that is practical and relevant and wanted
Provide linkages and exchange of practices we develop in Wisconsin with our EMS friends in Australia
Promote EMS to our CMAs and landholders
3. Which other groups do you think would have benefited from attending the Forum?
Industry associations
Government (Federal & State) agencies / representatives at a higher level so they can support what’s going on
Industry (open mind)
Local catchment bodies
Agriculture
Construction & Land development industry
Industry groups responsible for developing EMS’s
Supply chain representatives
Indigenous people with underpinned(perhaps spiritual) connection to land
Bio diversity specialists etc. (a few nay sayers)
Greater farmer and local landcare group presence
4. Did you find the mixture of papers and presentation styles effective in creating discussion about EMS?
YES = 17
NO = 1
Needs more balance toward industry
The small number of attendees helped in enabling informal dialogue
5. If not, how would you like to see this achieved?
Larger cross section of industry, agriculture and government etc.
More time for short case studies (with succinct “moral of the story” summaries would be useful)
Hold field trip on first or second day – not at the end, gives people tangible experience to generate ideas and discussion during the forum
6. What themes would you like the Association to explore in future events?
Tools developed and used to close the continuous improvement cycle i.e. monitoring tools, workshops etc.
EMS design, development and implementation strategies
Tiered approach (eg. ALMS)
Approved linkages to NRM bodies
Simplify the facts – it doesn’t have to be hard / time consuming
What it is (technical jargon target out)
Benefits and future impacts
Driving adoption
How to identify/promote/develop the “down-stream” drivers for EMS eg. sustainability, market expectation (changes), climate change
Integration with the organic industry
Social issues / benefits of EMS’s measurement or value assignment of intangible benefits
Positive stories
Development of a national framework for property / farm management systems – one that includes QA, safety, quality and EMS
More presentations from farmers and small industry about what they want from EMS, not what we want for them
Models of engagement (community and industry)
Marketing EMS – farmers and small landholders
7. What do you believe are three key policy areas for EMS and EMSA should focus on?
National recognition / standard
Industry based EMS problems
One size fits all (no industry based EMS)
Link EMS to regional NRM body funds for on-ground works
Environment, sustainability & adaptive management
Driving adoption, compatibility between systems (i.e. standardization) and promoting industry EMS professionals
EMS as a cross section and supply chain unifying factor
Corporate (eg. Woolworths etc) involvement to help ‘standardisation’ of standard and become ‘peak’ body for EMS in Australia
Promote EMS to industry groups
Continue to involve Federal Government in EMS
Promote a single central process
Statement of why EMSA exists – one that is meaningful for those not engaged
Marketing EMS
National commitment to EMS
Government recognition, industry recognition and industry uniformity
8. How can EMSA help you promote your business/industry EMS Activity?
Lowering the barriers to EMS for business
Have news updates regularly for all EMS providers or stakeholders
Value added product, environmentally & ecologically sustainable
Including my company details on your website under ‘service providers’
A list of green products
Exchange of learning, successful case studies, new roles for governments, private consultants to support change
More active ‘advertising’ / promotion
Include CMA’s in promotion
By providing a broad cross-industry (+ cross-sector), independent body that identifies and communicates the drivers, benefits etc of EMS approaches
By making the EMS approach easier (simpler?) to apply
Through communicating good news stories to farmers / community / industry / NRM sector and illustrating what works, not what doesn’t work