The Horticulture Australia Ltd (HAL) Working Group for Market Access R&D (WGMARD) is comprised of members from the horticultural industry and supply chain, research organizations, government and industry bodies involved in market access for Australian horticultural products. 

The WGMARD is independently chaired and is responsible for identifying, leading and managing a portfolio of research and development (R&D) investment to build horticultural market access.

 The WGMARD is accountable to HAL, the Office of Horticultural Market Access (OHMA) and industry and government funders of market access research and development.  The WGMARD is focused on gaining or regaining and maintaining market access via a targeted priority R&D program and communicating progress broadly to industry and government stakeholders.

More specifically the WGMARD:

1. Implements the Market Access Strategic R&D Plan which is a key component of the Horticultural Industry’s five year Market Access Strategic Plan.

2. Identifies priority R&D programs, including negotiation of appropriate funding levels for priority R&D programs.

3. Identifies priority research projects, including negotiation and approval of funding, monitoring progress against agreed milestones, and assessing R&D outcomes against market access requirements.

4. Ensures that R&D quality and data packages meet international trading partner and Australian government standards.

5. Reports progress and achievements annually or more frequently as required to funders and stakeholders.

The mission of the Working Group is to use high quality R&D to build market access for the Australian horticultural industry.