This followed the first Symposium held in Rome in May 1980 organised by Assoreni. During discussion in Rome, several participants expressed the view that the next meeting should cover more problem loaded aspects of controlled atmosphere storage and disinfestation of grains, gas tight facilities, sealing practices, inert gas production and high moisture grain storage. Dr Shejbal in his preface to the proceedings manual recalled these views and expressed the hope that his Symposium would be followed elsewhere in the world to permit a further diffusion of this environment – friendly, economical and safe preservation technique in modern storage facilities.

This was the call that Co-operative Bulk Handling Limited responded to when this Symposium was organised and leads to its title – “Practical Aspects of Controlled Atmosphere and Fumigation in Grain Storages”. As our Chairman Mr. H W Gayfer stated during his Key note address, the reasons we believed we were in the most favorable position to conduct this Symposium were :

1. Our year round climate is ideal for the development of grain insects.
2. As 95% of our produced grain is exported our control standards must be of high order.
3. C.S.I.R.O. officers have developed their research into C.A. Storage to the commercial application stage.
4. A National Committee of Bulk Handling Authorities and C.S.l.R.O. had combined their resources throughout Australia for the development of sealing techniques.
5. C.B.H. Ltd had realised that unless the method could be applied to existing storages as well as new storages its potential was seriously diminished.

Considerable funds had been allocated by C.B.H. Ltd for the application of these techniques, sufficient to provide 1.5 million tonnes of sealed storages at the completion of the then current programme.

As this was to be a practical symposium a field trip to visit sites in various stages of the sealing exercise was a necessary part of the demonstration process. This was organised as part of the Controlled Atmosphere and Fumigation Week. Further, to provide coverage of the broad aspects of grain handling, storage, transport and quality control as an added attraction to visitors undertaking the long journey to Perth in a depressed economic climate, a second week was made available.

270 participants from 28 countries attended the Symposium and I have yet to see a more convivial, a more totally committed group of people interchanging freely, giving and receiving knowledge and experience.

The major gap yet to be covered in Controlled Atmosphere Grain Storage is its compatibility with grain of very high moisture content. Such aspects could not be demonstrated in Australia by virtue of our climate and demonstration of theories is necessary. This, to some extent limits the ideal geographic zone for the holding of the next C.A.F. Symposium. To this end our International Steering Committee have chosen to remain as a body for the purpose of aiding the promotion of the system and guiding the selection of the next venue.

My appreciation is extended to all those organising committees within C.B.H. Ltd, to our field staff whose efforts will be well known by all participants, to the Chairmen of sessions who actually controlled the running of the Symposium, and to the Rapporteurs. There would have been no Symposium on the practical aspects of the transfer of controlled atmosphere and fumigation technology into commercial use, especially on the scale we have seen, had the facilities not been made available and the costs underwritten. “The influence of this event will be felt in grain storage activities throughout the world for many years to come” is a statement made by a speaker at a Stored Grain Protectants Conference. Therefore, I find it difficult to find words sufficient to express the degree of attribute deserved to our General Manager Mr. Jim Green and our Board of Directors for their full support both during the Symposium and the years leading up to it. A special recognition is also well deserved for the efforts of Alan Grey and his willing assistance in the organising and the conduct of the Symposium and in the compilation of this manual of proceedings.

The International Steering Committee, who also formed the body of Editors, who assisted from all points of the Compass before, during and after the Symposium, were Ed Jay U.S.D.A., Ed Bond Canada Agriculture, David Calverley T.D.R.I., Geoff Corbett F.A.O., Shlomo Navarro A.R.O., Jonathan Banks C.S.l.R.O.

A particular thank to Jonathan Banks for his dedication to his work and for his support and guidance over a number of years. It was most unfortunate that JINDRICH SHEJBAL was unable to attend this follow up to his original work. I know he would have liked to have been with us.

I have maintained the order of events in this manual of proceedings as they occurred during the period from 11th to the 22nd April 1983.

Perth, Western Australia, April 1984.     B.E. RIPP