CANBERRA — Australia is set to play a bigger role in the future of food security now that Tim Fischer, a former deputy prime minister, will take the reins as the new executive board chair of Crop Trust.
After taking over from Walter Fust in January 2018, Fischer aims to use his role at Crop Trust — an international nonprofit organization working to safeguard crop diversity — to advocate for greater awareness and political support for long-term food diversity and security.
Fischer brings to Crop Trust his experience in grasping tough agricultural issues and understanding plant biodiversity and food security challenges, as well as a long history of engaging and negotiating with governments. His political resume includes time as leader of the The Nationals, a rural-focused political party. Within Australia’s Parliament, Fischer’s positions included trade minister and deputy prime minister.