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A fortnightly e-newsletter proudly brought to you by Growcom |
Tuesday 18 May No. 10 / 2010 |
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What the Federal budget means for horticulture Last week’s “No Frills” federal budget contained little additional funds for the horticultural industry, like many other industries. The main plank of the government’s plan to return to surplus – the mining super tax profits – may have brought a brief smile to growers whose land is currently under threat from mining exploration. But revelations that Incitec Pivot has ceased phosphate exploration since the announcement seem sure to push the price of fertiliser up. The only horticulture specific item in the budget is funding of $2 million over five years for “enhanced and amalgamated mediation services” to be shared amongst the Franchising Code of Conduct, the Horticulture Code of Conduct, the Oilcode and the Produce and Grocery Industry Code of Conduct. We are awaiting further details of what this will involve. While we are thankful for any money provided to horticulture, it remains to be seen what can actually be achieved with $2 million split four ways, over five years. Under the budget excise on certain fuels will dramatically increase. From 1 July, there will be a 2.5 cent per litre excise on LPG, which will rise to 12.5 cents per litre in 2015. Complicated changes to the tax on ethanol make it hard to determine exactly how much it will increase. There will be a 25 cent per litre excise on ethanol fuel from 1 July. However, this will be offset by a 22.5 cents per litre subsidy to domestic ethanol producers, which will reduce to zero by 2015. But the 25 cents per litre excise will only be decreased to 12.5 cents per litre in the same period. Producers should also be aware that the Tax Office has been provided with $108 million to wage a war on businesses that deal in untaxed cash-in-the-hand. They estimate this will bring in more than $366 million in income tax and $2.7 billion in extra GST. Cuts have been the order of the day in the environmental field. Funding for water tanks and piping for grey water use will be reduced by $179.7 million over five years. The $20 million Skills for Sustainability Incentive Pilot program has also been axed. As expected, the successful Caring for Our Country program has been reduced by $81.3 million over four years. This comprises $70.4 million less for the National Heritage Trust of Australia and $10.9 million less for Landcare. The government says that a significant proportion of these savings will come from departmental expenses. Growcom will continue to update members as information comes to hand, particularly on the nature of the $2 million funding for the various industry Codes. For more information contact Growcom Advocacy and Policy Officer Troy Reeves on 07 3620 3844 or industryaction@growcom.com.au.
Growcom proudly supports grower nominations for Ausveg Awards To assist in acknowledging some of the wonderful work that growers do within their industries and in the community Growcom has put forward nominations of four growers for three awards at the upcoming Ausveg 2010 National Awards for Excellence. Nominated for Young Grower of the Year is Ed Windley from Kengoon Farming near Kalbar who has demonstrated leadership and innovation by investigating overseas use of Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF) systems and sharing this knowledge with other growers in the Australian vegetable industry. Narelle West has been nominated for the Women in Horticulture category for her support for women in the industry both in her family business, West Farms, and in the industry more broadly. She has actively participated in programs that have supported the development of skills for women in the industry and mentored and encouraged other women to also be involved. Linton Brimblecombe from the Lockyer and Denise Harslett from the Granite Belt have both been nominated for the category of Grower of the Year. This should be a great competition as they both in their own ways have contributed to innovation in their industries and shown leadership in industry forums that have advanced the development of industry in areas such as climate change, integrated pest management and water and natural resource management. Growcom is proud to support such worthy nominees and wish them well in the upcoming awards.
Freshcare training upcoming dates Growcom is training growers in Full Version 3 Freshcare training and providing transition training for those who need to upgrade from Version 2 to Version 3. All attendees are eligible for the Australian Government’s FarmReady reimbursement funding which provides full reimbursement for the costs of the training. Upcoming dates and locations for Transition Training include:
Upcoming dates and locations for Full Version 3 Training include:
To register or enquire about training in your local area or to receive information about receiving reimbursement through FarmReady, contact Growcom’s State Projects Coordinator Alana White on awhite@growcom.com.au or 07 3620 3844. For a full list of planned Freshcare training days visit the Growcom website. This training is supported by Bayer and Prime Super.
Forklift training Growcom is currently in the preliminary stages of investigating ways to deliver forklift training to horticulture growers across Queensland. This work has been greatly assisted by responses to a survey sent out to members which highlighted the demand for such training. Growcom would like to thank all the growers who responded and encourage anyone else who might have a question or be interested in forklift training to register your interest by contacting Growcom’s State Projects Coordinator Alana White on 3620 3844 or email awhite@growcom.com.au.
WorkCover premiums to rise The Queensland Government has announced changes to Queensland's WorkCover arrangements, including a 13 per cent increase to the average premium from $1.15 to $1.30 per $100 of wages paid and increases to the employer excess from 1 July 2010. The new law also requires that the payouts for general damages of pain and suffering will be capped at $300 000, and damages for loss of future earnings will be capped at three times average earnings or about $176 000 in current terms. However, the WorkCover premiums in Queensland will still be the lowest in the country. Victoria is reported the second lowest in the list with a premium of $1.39. A positive outcome is a change to arrangements requiring employees to provide greater proof that an employer neglected their care of duty, making it more difficult for an employee to claim when their employer is not at fault.
Horticulture Award 2010 A number of provisions out of the new award are causing some confusion amongst growers, so this a good opportunity to set out some key provisions: Piecework
Casual employees Labour hire agreements The Horticulture Compliance Program being conducted by the Fair Work Ombudsman’s office is underway. Around 1000 growers around the country will be audited to establish levels of understanding and compliance with the new IR system and to ensure that workers are paid their entitlements and are treated fairly. Recent negative press has meant that a lot of this work will be looking closely at labour hire companies. Growcom has developed a template agreement for horticulture producers to use with labour hire contractors for harvest time which will be available at a discounted fee for members. If you would like to discuss a tailored agreement to suit your needs, please call Robert Hall or Caroline Eriksen from the Growcom IR team on 07 3620 3844 or email irteam@growcom.com.au
New Zealand apple imports update There have been numerous media statements in past weeks declaring the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has decided in favour of importing New Zealand apples into Australia. Apple and Pear Australia Ltd (APAL) has confirmed that an interim report on the WTO findings has been released to the Government but that information is still confidential. APAL believes that a report on the dispute will be released mid-year and until APAL receives official notification of the results they are not in a position to make an informed response about the WTO report. If reports from New Zealand are accurate, then APAL has some major concerns that it will be taking up with the appropriate authorities. The implications could have wide ranging impacts for all Australian agriculture, not just the apple and pear industry. After the WTO releases its final report, there will be an opportunity for the disputing parties to appeal the decision and an outcome may not be concluded until early next year. APAL will be following the process closely and doing whatever it can to ensure the Australian apple and pear industry is protected from pests and diseases that are not present in our growing regions. For more information please contact APAL directly on 03 9329 3511. As further information becomes available growers will be informed.
APAL appeals China’s apple IRA Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL) has major concerns about Chinese apples entering the Australian market. As such APAL has appealed the provisional final Import Risk Analysis (IRA) released 30 March. APAL spokesperson on biosecurity issues John Corboy said that there are two substantive grounds for the appeal. “We are very concerned that there has been no proper risk analysis undertaken on four pests in four separate provinces,” Mr Corboy said. “The IRA assumes that the risk of these pests entering Australia is low because only small volumes of apples would come from those regions. “However, if apples did come from any of those four regions, they would not be ‘diluted’ with apples from other parts of the country, they would come in their own container and therefore the risk of any of the pests entering Australia is higher than we can accept,” Mr Corboy said. The second ground for the appeal is that a serious pest, Drosophila suzukii, which was present in China when the IRA was been conducted, was not considered at all. “Drosophila suzukii causes damage to apples and stone fruit when it lays eggs in ripening fruit on trees, opening the fruit to rots. “It has been identified as existing in China by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Agency (EPPO) and has spread to North America and Europe. Reports suggest that D. suzukii is a serious threat to many fruit crops. “It is of great concern to the industry that China did not inform Australia about the existence of this pest. If they have missed this one, what other pests don’t we know about?” Mr Corboy said. The Import Risk Analysis Appeals Panel, an independent body of Biosecurity Australia has 45 days to consider the appeal and report its findings to Australia’s Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine and appellants. As more information becomes available growers will be kept informed.
Pears and pineapples to appear on Masterchef Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) has confirmed that both pears and pineapple will appear on Channel Ten’s reality TV show Masterchef. Appearing in week six (the week commencing 24 May 2010) the fruits are to be part of the ‘mystery box challenge’. HAL cannot confirm to what extent the fruits will feature due to editing but more information may be available as the episode draws closer.
Grower input sought for economic development strategy (Southern Downs) The Southern Downs Regional Council has scheduled a meeting for 26 May at the Stanthorpe Civic Centre, Supper Room starting at 6 pm to gather feedback from local growers to help develop an Economic Development Strategy. All Stanthorpe growers are invited to attend to raise any issues, concerns or ideas they might have. The meeting will focus on
A light dinner will be provided at 6 pm with the meeting due to commence at 6.30 pm. The session should finish by 8 pm. For more information or to RSVP please contact Growcom’s IDO Julie Moore on 0400 704 908 or email jmoore@growcom.com.au.
Irrigation conference caters for growers Dealing with limited water availability and increasing salinity are two major challenges facing growers. This year’s Australian Irrigation Conference and Exhibition in Sydney from 8-10 June will provide up-to-date information on irrigation management practices and technology to cope with these challenges. The conference will look at the future of irrigation and its role in food and fibre production as the irrigation industry undergoes a transformation in policy and practice. This year the Conference is jointly hosted with the Cooperative Research Centre for Irrigation Futures, which will be showcasing the tools, processes and knowledge it has developed. Conference sessions on
Keynote speakers include Professor Kader Asmal a former Minister of Water Affairs in the Mandela Government in South Africa and a driving force in the development of South Africa’s progressive water legislation. Dr Sandra Postel, Director of the independent Global Water Policy Project, will discuss how science, technology and policy will help the world meet the water and food demands of a forecast 8 billion people by 2025. The Conference finale will be a Q&A session on the theme of: What should irrigation policy and practice look like in 2020 when we have spent $20 billion of public and private money? The irrigation expo is being held concurrently and is open to all, free, and will feature the latest irrigation equipment, technology and knowledge. Program, registration brochure, workshop and other information can be obtained from the Irrigation Australia web site.
Food safety on the agenda The Annual Australian HACCP Conference will be held at the Sebel Albert Park, Melbourne from 24 - 26 August. A premier discussion forum for all food industry professionals involved in food safety, this year’s package will also include the SQF International Conference, the first to be held outside of North America. This year’s conference will address topics such as food safety in new and emerging markets, lessons to be learnt from food safety outbreaks, implementing food safety in small business, update on allergens and their impact, labelling laws review and toxicology of heavy meals in relation to food safety. Register online or by downloading a registration form from the HACCP web site.
New laws to protect landholders' rights as CSG industry grows The Queensland Government will introduce new laws in the Queensland Parliament this week which Natural Resources, Mines and Eenrgy Minister Stephen Robertson says will provide a more consistent and transparent process to improve landholders' rights when their land is accessed for coal seam gas exploration.
APVMA to reconsider all registrations of herbicide MCPA MCPA or 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid is a post-emergent herbicide used in agriculture and the home garden for the selective control of annual and perennial broadleaf weeds. In accordance with the Agvet Codes, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is currently reconsidering all registrations and permit approvals of products containing MCPA. There are concerns products containing MCPA may have unintended harmful effects on animals, plants and the environment. There are also concerns the product labels may not have adequate instructions and warning statements. The focus of the reconsideration will be on risks posed to the environment through non-targeted damage that spray drift may cause. Modelling and risk analysis conducted by APVMA showed that spray drift of MPCA may pose risks to aquatic organisms, non-target terrestrial vegetation and neighbouring crops. They will also be assessing label warning statements. APVMA’s detailed reasons for these reconsiderations can be found in MCPA Spray Drift Review Scope document, available on the APVMA web site.
Feedback required Kevin Bodnaruk, Pesticide Regulation Coordinator for Horticulture Australia Limited, is sourcing responses from growers with regards to the following questions. Responses will be used as part of a submission put forward to the MCPA Spray Drift Review Scope.
Responses can be emailed to Mr Bodnaruk and are due by 24 May. Those wishing to make their own submissions regarding the reconsideration of MCPA uses as defined in the APVMA’s scope document may do so via email to chemrev@apvma.gov.au Or by mail to: Deadline for submission is 28 May 2010.
The following permits have been issued by APVMA
Full details of all permits are available on the APVMA web site.
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Fruiterer still has appeal Source: Weekly Times Now
Citrus bud sales soar Source: Weekly Times Now
More of us put stock in vegies Source: Herald Sun
Imported produce shelves Australian farmers Source: Herald Sun
Kiwi farmers resent emissions trading scheme Source: ABC
SA vegie grower fined for land clearing Source: ABC
Struggling truckies plan red ribbon campaign Source: ABC
Scientists fear 'widespread' mealybug outbreak Source: ABC
Important dates to remember in 2010 Ausveg National Convention For more information call Ausveg on 03 9544 8098 or email convention@ausveg.com.au. Alternatively you can visit the Convention's website.
FarmDay 2010
Australian Irrigation Conference & Exhibition
Australian HACCP Conference
Association meeting dates Burdekin & Delta Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association: meets first Thursday of each month. Kalamia Hotel, Queen St, Ayr. Phone 07 4783 5599. Gin Gin Fruit and Vegetable Growers Cooperative Ltd: phone Meredith on 07 4157 7751 for details. Cassowary Coast Banana Growers Association: meets second Thursday of every month at Centre for Wet Tropics (DPI&F) South Johnstone commencing at 7.30 pm. Phone Mark Nucifora on 0438 654 934 Australian Ginger Growers Association: meetings held every three months. Buderim Ginger Resource Room, Buderim. Phone Kylie Templeton 07 5442 8254 for details. Australian Passionfruit Industry Association: meetings held at various times and locations in both QLD & NSW. Phone Zeki Murad 0405 186 742 for further details. Bundaberg Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association: meets last Monday of each month (except December) at Bundaberg Enterprise Centre, Training Room #2, at 6:00 pm. Phone Peter Peterson 07 4153 3007.
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