From 1 January 2020, businesses in Australia’s horticulture industry will be able to apply for the new Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement. The Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement increases access to skilled and semi-skilled migrant workers for the horticulture industry, where appropriately qualified Australians are unavailable.

To find out what a Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement be used for and how to apply for a Labour Agreement, go to the Australian Government Dept. of Home Affairs website.

Hazel Technologies, Inc., announces the successful completion of peach, nectarine, and plum supply chain quality trials with the University of California, Davis. Researchers found that Hazel Tech® packaging can maintain post-harvest characteristics such as firmness and color retention in seven different varieties of peaches, plums, and nectarines in standard supply chain conditions. - Read more of this Fresh Plaza article.

Prices of some exporting fees for fruit, vegetable, nut and flower could almost triple under a proposed government scheme.

A FEDERAL Government plan to raise export costs for fruit, vegetables, nuts and flowers is now more than two years behind schedule, with the latest iteration attracting industry backlash over a near tripling of some prices and the inclusion of new charges.

Mounting pressure from horticulture bodies has led the Department of Agriculture to extend its deadline for public consultation on a new horticulture export scheme to early January. The first draft was released in 2015.

The extension will allow the group — tipped to include at least eight of the nation’s biggest horticultural associations — to craft a joint submission calling for a complete reworking of the Government’s export cost-recovery arrangements.

The proposed model would see the exporter levy increase 275 per cent, the cost of a phytosanitary certificate jump from $36 to $115 and registration fees to rise 47 per cent.

New costs announced in the 2018-19 Federal Budget would cover scientific and technical advice, support for detained consignments and enforcement activities, adding $1.53 million to the scheme’s cost base.

Australian Horticultural Exporters’ Association chief executive Andréa Magiafoglou said the changes could “critically impact” exporters’ competitiveness.

AusVeg spokesman Tyson Cattle said the peak body for vegetable and potato growers wanted greater transparency.

“We’re not against cost recovery, but we want to make sure it’s fair and equitable,” Mr Cattle said.

“Our view is, given that horticulture is in its infancy in terms of exports, there needs to be some time for the industry to fully mature, so we don’t want any impediments to growth.”

The Government is eager for the proposed model to get ministerial approval so the new fees can be introduced on July 1 next year.

The current scheme is racking up losses of more than $6.3 million.

A Department of Agriculture spokesman said the Government had engaged widely.

“We are seeking to recover the expense of functions that are already being delivered to or on behalf of industry,” he said. “The price increases will ensure the department is sustainably recovering the full cost of the regulation activity.”

Source: Weekly Times, ALEXANDRA LASKIE - December 18, 2019 12:00am

The holiday season is fast approaching and it's more important than ever to focus on safety in the workplace. Don't make the holidays a season you'll want to forget.

Head over to the Worksafe website for more information specific to the Agriculture Industry...

The Authority is aware there are existing providers who fully intend to comply with the Act and wish to obtain a licence but were not able to apply by the end of the transition period. It is vital to the success of the licensing scheme that all providers who are compliant with their legal obligations and who express an intention to continue to provide labour hire services in Victoria in accordance with labour hire laws are licensed.

It is for this reason the Authority has decided that, where a complete application is submitted to the Authority before midnight on 31 December 2019, and there is no evidence of non-compliance, it will not take enforcement action against a provider for providing services without a licence, or a host who enters into an arrangement with that provider.

Visit the Labour Hire Authority website for further information...

The on-farm energy tier 2 grants are available to eligible primary producers until March 2020 or until available funding is exhausted (whichever comes first). Apply early so you don’t miss out.

The Victorian Government can provide $50,000 to $250,000 (excluding GST) for on-farm energy tier 2 grants matched against a cash contribution of at least 50 per cent.

*Please note that when you receive your original assessment, you do not automatically advance to the next stage. You will need to apply for the grant funding.

For more information on the Grants or to apply, visit the Ag Vic website...