The establishment of the Dried Fruits Research Committee followed a resolution adopted by the 1970 Federal Council of the Australian Dried Fruits Association, calling on the Australian Dried Fruits Control Board (CA 85) to take the necessary steps to establish a Research Fund Committee for Dried Vine and Tree Fruits and for Prunes.

A formal letter requesting the Australian Agricultural Council (CA 479) to establish a Statutory Fund and to form a managing committee was sent to the Minister for Primary Industry [I] in July 1970 and resulted in the following legislation. The Dried Fruits Research Act 1971, established the Dried Fruits Research Trust Account and the Dried Fruits Research Committee. The Dried Fruits Levy Act 1971, No. 19 of 1971, imposed a Levy on production of dried fruits to fund the Research Trust Account; while the Dried Fruits Levy Collection Act 1971, No. 20 of 1971, provided the legislative means for the collection of the Levy ("Annual Report of the Dried Fruits Control Board 1970-71", Parliamentary Paper No. 135 of 1971, p. 22)

The Dried Fruits Research Act 1971 created the Dried Fruits Research Trust Account, which was administered by the Dried Fruits Research Committee. Funds from the account were to be used to

"Support research into the production, processing and packaging of dried fruits, including:

the training of persons for the purposes of such research 
the publication of reports relating to the research
the dissemination of information and advice on scientific,
technical or economic matters"

("Annual Report of the Dried Fruits Research Committee 1977-78", Parliamentary Paper No. 94 of 1979, p. 1) The Research Trust Account was funded jointly by a Levy on dried fruits delivered to packing establishments and by matching contribution from the Commonwealth Government. The Research Committee was empowered to establish associated accounts, usually funded by grants from the Dried Fruits Control Board (CA 85), or its successor the Australian Dried Fruits Corporation. At its second meeting on 16 September 1971, the Committee "recognized the need to establish reserve funds to offset fluctuations in annual income. It decided that until such time as the approved programme of research had became staffed and equipped at recommended levels, the unallocated portion of the funds available should be treated as a reserve" (Parliamentary Paper No. 91 of 1973 p. 30)

The Dried Fruits Research Committee was created by the Dried Fruits Research Act which commenced on 27 April 1971, the date that the Dried Fruits Levy Act received royal assent. Its members were appointed during June 1971 and the inaugural meeting was held on 24 June 1971 ("First Report of Dried Fruits Research Committee 1971-1972, Parliamentary Paper, No. 91 of 1973, p.3).

The "Report of the Committee" for 1979-1980 (Parliamentary Paper, No. 264 of 1980) described its primary function as being to recommend to the Minister for Primary Industry the rate of Levy to apply to dried fruits for the purpose of the research scheme and to advise on expenditure from the Trust Account for the purpose of research. At its second meeting on 16 September 1971 the Committee 
"examined existing and proposed programmes of organizations
engaged in dried fruits research to examine research objectives in the light of changing industry needs. The Committee decided that funds at its disposal should be directed more towards processing research rather than production problems and methods to increase production." (Parliamentary Paper, No. 91 of 1973, p. 3) 
The first report of the Committee continues

"with the introduction of the Dried Fruits Research Act, functions previously performed by the Dried Vine Fruits Research Committee were taken over by the Dried Fruits Research Committee. These responsibilities included the financing of an existing programme of research... which in the main, dealt with unsolved major processing problems being undertaken by CSIRO" (ibid, p.7)

The 7th Annual Report of the Committee (Parliamentary Paper, No. 94 of 1979, p. 6) stated the Committee was

"alert to ensure that it does not duplicate the work financed by other bodies and does not finance research which would otherwise have taken place. In essence..... it provides a gap-filling role by financing research not otherwise being likely to be carried out by CSIRO, universities, State departments or Agriculture, packers, machinery manufacturers and the growers. To date the Committee has relied solely on projects formulated by industry research associations and other interested bodies. No attempt has been made but the Committee to determine research priorities or to formulate its own projects in arrears where suitable projects are not forthcoming.

During 1977 a Sub-Committee was set up to look into the area of increased disposal of dried vine fruits. The sub-committee was to examine ways of selling more dried fruits, particularly on the domestic market and to encourage suitable organisations to formulate and submit projects to the Committee (ibid p.7)

The Board consisted of 11 members:

4 members nominated by the Australian Dried Fruits Association
2 members nominated by packers of dried fruits
3 members representing the Australian Agricultural Council (CA 479)
1 member representing the CSIRO (CA 641)
1 member representing the Department

The members of the Committee were appointed by the Minister for three year terms and were eligible for reappointment. They were able to nominate deputies for appointment in their stead. The Chairman and five other members formed a quorum, the member representing the Department becoming the Chairman of the Committee. Questions were decided by a majority of votes, with the Chairman having a deliberative and a casting vote in the event of an equality of votes. The Minister was able, on the recommendation of the committee to appoint consultants to advise on "any purpose in respect of which moneys may be expended from the research account". The Committee was serviced by the Central Office of the Department of Primary Industry [I] (CA 63) and its successors, the Department of Agriculture (CA 1768) and the Department of Primary Industry [II] (CA 1960).

The first Secretary of the Committee was W.G. Ferguson. The first members of the Committee were:

Representing the Department of Primary Industry [I]: E.S. Hoffman (Chairman)
Australian Dried Fruits Association: F.H. Gill, S.J. Lancaster, R.W. Tiller, H.A. Watson
Packers of Dried Fruits: J.C. Harrison, W.A. Jackson,
Australian Agricultural Council: R.A. Mullett, M.B. Sparling, C.R. Turkington,
C.S.I.R.O.: B.F. McKeon.

The 1971 Act was replaced by the Rural Industries Research Act 1985 which established the Dried Fruits Research Council and the Dried Fruits Research Trust Fund. The Council took over the general responsibilities of the preceding Committee.

The Council comprises a Chairman and a Government member, selected by the Minister, and seven other members selected by the Research Council's Selection Committee. The membership structure of the Council on formation was three grower members, one packer/marketing member, and three scientist members. Administration of the Council (from c.1987) is provided by the Australian Dried Fruits Association (ADFA), with the Department of Primary Industries and Energy providing financial services on a fee for service basis.

From 1 January 1992 the Council came under the corporate structure of the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. Now titled the Dried Fruits Research and Development Council, the agency retains a substantial degree of autonomy and ADFA continues to undertake administration of the Council.

The Dried Fruits Research and Development (Repeal and Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2001 abolished the agency with effect from 1 July 2001

Sources:

(Parliamentary Paper, No. 91 of 1973)

1971-1987: Department of Primary Industry, Canberra1987-    : 31 Deakin Avenue, Mildura, VIC

Creation: Commonwealth of Australia Act No. 21 of 1971, Dried Fruits Research Act 1971Rural Industries Research Act 1985