ROB Kerin has announced he will take a three-month leave of absence from his role as Primary Producers SA executive chair, because of concerns about perceived conflicts with his new role.
Mr Kerin recently was appointed to a part-time role as project chair of Portalis, a joint venture seeking to build a deep sea port at Cape Hardy on eastern Eyre Peninsula.
"PPSA looks after cross commodity issues such as transport, natural resources and those issues which affect multiple or all commodity associations," he said.
"Each group has autonomy on issues specific to their commodity.
"This means that within the PPSA structure, Grain Producers SA has responsibility for addressing issues in SA relating to grain export pathways including deep sea ports.
"I realise that there is a perceived conflict between my PPSA role and the role with Portalis.
"I respect this and the great work that GPSA does on many issues and hence, I have decided to stand aside as Chair of PPSA for three months as I do not want my involvement to, in any way, diminish GPSA's independence or its ability to represent members."
During Mr Kerin's absence, Don Plowman will step-in as interim Executive Chair.
Dr Plowman has had numerous roles in agriculture across many years, including in PIRSA.
He also chaired the steering committee preparing the SA Grains Industry Blueprint, has extensive experience in R&D corporations and cooperative research centres and is a former chair of Wheat Quality Australia.
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