At the national scale, the Industry Leadership Group (ILG) has been managing, monitoring and driving the activities and progress of environmental assurance. The ILG was established at the beginning of the program to ensure industry leadership was maintained.

The ILG consists of key industry representatives with experience and passion for horticulture and an independent chairman - Dr Jack Sinden, who is Association Professor, Agricultural and Resource Economics, at the University of New England.

Members include citrus grower Neil Eagle, vegetable producer Jeffrey McSpedden, macadamia farmer John Gillet, banana producer and Freshcare chair Vicky Kippin-O’Connor, and nurseryman Stuart Swaddling.

The ILG was responsible for (as per the agreed Industry Leadership Group Terms of Reference):

• Identifying industry-wide issues relating to environment within horticulture;
• Facilitating debate and discussion within industry groups about the vision, goals about the implementation of environmental management within horticulture;
• Reviewing industry strategic approach to the wider issue of NRM, to be developed alongside the EMS Pathways program (depending on DAFF NRM Partnerships contribution);
• Developing a strategic approach for the Industry Summit, including identifying categories of invitees, speakers/presenters and general industry positioning;
• Developing an industry Vision and Goals with respect to environmental strategy within horticulture, for consideration at the 16th November 2004 industry summit;
• Advising HAC of any issues related to (for example) situations of multiple government agency requirements regarding environmental compliance, where an approach by HAC would be appropriate; and 
• Ensuring growers views on sustainability issues are taken into account in relation to the costs, benefits and drivers of environmental management systems.

Their role has included developing the Vision and Strategy for Environmental Management in Australian Horticulture; providing insight into direction of key activities, including industry consultation through the forums and the grower trials; as well as discussing the big picture environmental issues facing horticulture and how they can be addressed. By establishing a national steering committee has ensured high level leadership and credibility in the eyes of industry and consequently strong support for the program.