THE  Australian horticulture industry wants employers who exploit backpackers to be stripped of their rights to access foreign workers.

Nine horticulture industry peak bodies urged revoking the rights of some employers in a recent submission to the Department of Immigration inquiry into work visas.

It comes after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s announcement in April that scrapped the 457 visa for skilled migrants, and subsequently the Government announced it planned to reduce number of visa classes from 99 to about 10.  Read more of this Weekly Times article......

THE nectarine harvest is looming and Australian growers have been encouraged by research indicating there is a market in China for both white and yellow flesh varieties.

Until recently, China-based importers had instructed exporters of Australian grown nectarines there was demand only for low acid white flesh nectarines.

Read more of this Weekly Times article........

Southern fruit growers seem to have been spared the fallout from the long-running backpacker tax saga as statistics show working holidaymakers are still hitting Australian shores.

Australia's horticulture industry was last year left outraged as working holidaymakers faced the prospect of being taxed 32.5 per cent, with the rate eventually reduced to 15 per cent following months of debate.  Read more of this ABC article...

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Tattoos on fruit are set to replace stickers as farmers seek out environmentally-friendly alternatives to labels for produce that already comes in its own natural packaging.

Fruits with printed skins are already on supermarket shelves in Spain, Sweden, and the UK, but in Australia stickers, wax and plastic wrap are still the most common ways fresh produce is branded.  Read more of this ABC News article.....

A new watchdog will head the toughest labour hire scheme in Australia under a crackdown on dodgy operators by the Victorian Government.  The laws, to be put to parliament by the end of the year, are in response to an investigation that uncovered widespread abuse and exploitation of workers across the state. - Read more of this Shepparton News article.