Compliance focus – Victoria’s horticulture industry

The Commonwealth Senate Select Committee on Job Security has inquired into the impact of insecure or precarious employment, with evidence given to the Committee by several workers from the horticulture sector. Media stories since have further highlighted workers’ concerns and the challenges faced with cleaning up the labour hire industry servicing this sector. Read more of this article here...

Site visits to Victorian horticulture businesses this month

The Labour Hire Authority (LHA) continues its work to prevent labour hire worker exploitation in the horticulture industry this year. Inspectors and authorised officers from WorkSafe, Labour Hire Authority and the Department of Justice and Community Safety will visit Yarra Valley farms to conduct compliance checks and offer advice on how to tackle health and safety hazards. These site visits follow an online information session giving Yarra Valley growers and providers the opportunity to refresh their knowledge on workplace health and safety. Read more of this article here...

Useful links and information:

Testing and vaccinations:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria website in multiple languages
• Information about the COVID-19 vaccines in multiple languages
• Instructions on how to use Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs)
• Information for people who have recovered from COVID-19
• COVID-19 testing and the workplace

Business support and wellbeing:

• DJPR COVID Safe information session for small/medium business – 1, 3 March
• One on one support to improve financial, business and emotional wellbeing

COVID isolation and exemption:

• List of workers exempted from isolation requirements
• What if I've recently contracted COVID-19 or was a contact

Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook 2020/21
The latest annual Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook is out now. It covers trade, volume, value, retail and foodservice data across 75 different commodities. Access the 2020/21 Handbook here.

HIA have released 2022-2026 Strategic Investment Plans for Apple and Pear, Cherries and Stonefruit 
These plans are the roadmaps that help guide Hort Innovation’s investment of levies and Australian Government contributions. Industry-specific Strategic Investment Plans (SIPs) outline the key priorities for investment in each levy industry. Each SIP has been created through close consultation with industry, to ensure it represents the balanced interests and opportunities for that industry. Visit the Hort Innovation website to access the above Strategic Investment plans.

Current restrictions in Victoria

For the latest information regards COVID-19, please follow this link. Agriculture and resources sector guidance | Coronavirus Victoria
 

Where face masks are required

You are no longer required to wear a face mask in most indoor settings, but wearing a mask remains recommended. You must always carry your mask when leaving home. For more information on where Face masks are still mandatory, please visit the Coronavirus.vic.gov.au website

In coming days, you will see a public announcement that Market Access for Peaches and Nectarines to Vietnam has been achieved.

It has been some 5 years in the making but finally we have a protocol.

Summerfruit Australia Ltd/Summerfruit Export Development Alliance is working towards some managed exports for the 2021/22 season.

We will then set up for a full year of exports commencing in November 2022.

We would like to thank all those involved who have played a part in achieving this new market.

In particular thanks to the SAL/SEDA Market Access Working Group who have given many hours working with DAWE to achieve a workable protocol.

This is one of the first protocols that include a Systems Approach mechanism.

SAL/SEDA would like to thank those growers/exporters, packing facilities and Steritech for their support and hard work as part of the recent ‘virtual visit’.

This event was again a ‘first’ and from all indications was well accepted by the authorities in Vietnam.

SAL/SEDA would like to thank the many DAWE representatives both in Australia and in Vietnam who work hard to bring this protocol to a practical document.

SAL/SEDA will be working with DAWE to implement level of trade for the rest of the season.

You will find attached a document that gives you more details on both the protocol and the trade processes.

No doubt growers will ask well what about Plums. Be assured SAL/SEDA will now be pushing for the relevant protocols for Plums and Apricots to be developed as soon as humanly possible.

Again, congratulations to all involved and we look forward to developing this market in the same way industry has developed the market in China over the past six years.

If you have any issues or need clarification on any of the points detailed in the attached document, please contact Trevor Ranford on 0417 809 172 or Olivia Tait on 0409 554 078.

If the STP-enabled payroll solution you use is ready, you should start STP phase 2 reporting. You’ll be considered to have transitioned on time if you start phase 2 reporting before 1 March 2022. The Australian Taxation Office's resources will help you with the transition.

Current restrictions in Victoria

Visit the Coronavirus.vic.gov.au website for more information on current Victoria restrictions.

Victoria reduces COVID-19 booster dose interval to three months

Victoria has reduced the dose interval for COVID-19 booster shots to three months effective immediately. Visit the 9 News website to watch the Victorian Press Conference from 19.1.2022

Third dose mandate
Agriculture Victoria has advised that businesses who have large packing sheds where the main business is distribution of packed items to retail and supermarket distribution centres are part of the 3^rd COVID vaccine dose mandate.  Workers in the distribution part of the business (i.e. forklift drivers, packers, packer supervisors) must have a third vaccination by 12/2/2022 or 12/3/2022 depending on when their second vaccine dose happened.  Other workers, for example office staff or pickers in an adjacent orchard, are not mandated for a 3^rd dose although this is highly recommended.  https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/worker-vaccination-requirements#third-dose-vaccination-requirements
 
Exemptions for Asymptomatic close contacts
Workers at all points on a farm are considered critical workers in the supply chain.  Growers who have workers who are close contacts can follow this exemption.
https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checklist-contacts
Scroll down to the end for Exemptions. Relevant category is:
• Critical food industry workers (inc food industry distribution workers)
 
COVID Outbreak on a farm
If your farm has more than 5 workers diagnosed with COVID in a 7 day period, you must advise the Department of Health.  Case in the workplace | Coronavirus Victoria  Dept of Health is currently working with farms that have had substantial outbreaks to ensure the farms can continue to operate.  If your operation is severely affected as you have a substantial number of workers diagnosed with COVID and you have not heard from the Dept of Health, please call Leanne at FGV on 0448 288 253. 

More detailed information on any of these points can be found at https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/