Thomson Geer has advised the peak body for the Australian barley and malting industry, Barley Australia, on its merger with Grains Australia.

Under the terms of the merger, Grains Australia will take responsibility for all technical functions associated with barley varietal classification, trade and market access and information and education on behalf of the Australian barley industry. Barley Australia’s current Board of Directors will also form a new barley industry council within Grains Australia to ensure ongoing oversight and continued delivery of key services to the barley industry.

Thomson Geer advised Barley Australia on the terms of the merger and on intellectual property matters.

The Thomson Geer team was led by Corporate Partner Jeremy Wilkin, who said the team was able to draw on its deep expertise in the agricultural sector, and the grains industry in particular, to deliver an optimal outcome for Barley Australia.

“We were delighted to advise Barley Australia on this significant transaction for its members and to help realise the underlying objective of consolidating the classification processes and resources for wheat and barley in Australia under one organisation, while at the same time preserving Barley Australia’s industry-specific know-how and decision-making capacity.”

The Thomson Geer team also included intellectual property specialists Partner Andrew Chalet and Special Counsel Dr Peytee Grusche.

Grains Australia is an industry initiative of the Grains Research and Development Corporation, Grain Growers Ltd, Grain Producers Australia and Grain Trade Australia. It is responsible for activities including classification, market access and market information and education that benefits the grains industry.

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