A large-scale breeding and testing programme is set to revolutionise Australia’s premium stonefruit offering
Based in South Australia’s Riverland region, The Chosen Ones (TCO) is a premium stonefruit brand owned by Quality Fruit Marketing (QFM).
The programme originated in 2004 when Nuffield scholar and ‘flavour finder’, Jason Size, teamed up with QFM chairman, Michael Trautwein, to test different varieties for their growers.
Support for people directly affected by bushfires in disaster declared areas.
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.
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...
© Summerfruit Export Development Alliance