On behalf of the Australian lychee industry, the Australian Lychee Growers Association (ALGA) is proposing to change the existing lychee levy structure to provide funding & resources to assist in strengthening and expanding the scope of biosecurity response arrangements through a Plant Health Australia levy. 

ALGA as the peak industry body for the Australian lychee industry will notify all lychee levy paying growers via the industry’s various avenues of communication seeking grower support of the proposed changes.

The change will not affect the cost of the existing levy which growers currently pay and the industry will not be imposing any additional amount of levy in order to fund the biosecurity management obligations of the industry. ALGA believes that by slightly changing the existing lychee levy structure, these obligations will be covered now and in the future. The industry’s biosecurity obligations have previously been met by ALGA and its members. 

The existing lychee levy and charge was first introduced 1 February 2004. Lychees which are produced in Australia and sold by a producer or exported attract a levy or charge. The current levy is collected on a per kilogram basis of 8 cents per kilogram with the following components:

• 5.5 cents per kilogram for Research & Development and

• 2.5 cents per kilogram for Marketing  

ALGA will be submitting a request in respect to lychees, that the Australian Government introduce a Plant Health Australia Levy (of 0.50 cents per kilogram) and reduce the rates of both the R&D and Marketing levies (each by 0.25 cents per kilogram). This would retain, but effectively redistribute the current 8 cents per kilogram levy with levy components as follows:

• 5.25 cents per kilogram for Research & Development

• 2.25 cents per kilogram for Marketing and 

• 0.50 cents per kilogram for Plant Health Australia Biosecurity 

The industry is in a growth period with new plantings reaching medium to full production within the next 5-6 years. The anticipated increase in annual tonnage will increase future levy funds collected, with ALGA forecasting that the redistribution of the current levy will not adversely affect the industry’s R&D and Marketing programs over the coming years. The increase in production will compensate for the initial reduction in R&D and Marketing revenue resulting from the proposed changes.

Growers will be emailed a link to a short survey by which they will be able to vote, indicating whether they support or do not support the proposed change.  It is extremely important that all levy paying growers are made aware of these changes and take part in the voting survey.  The industry will need to demonstrate to the Australian Government that the majority of lychee levy payers support the change.

For more information contact ALGA on algaeo@australianlychee.com.au

AgriFutures Australia partners with Australian rural industries and the Australian Government to grow the long-term prosperity of Australian rural industries and communities through research, development and extension.

This report delves into the intricate landscape of Australia’s national biosecurity system, a linchpin in safeguarding our primary industries from the pervasive threats posed by pests and diseases.

Australia’s biosecurity framework, jointly managed by the Australian Government and their state/territory counterparts, is a complex collaboration aimed at mitigating risks and ensuring the integrity of our agricultural sector. The stakes are high, with successful biosecurity implementation crucial for international market access, as well as for protecting regional and rural economies and communities. 

The study examined the adoption of biosecurity practices by producers, focusing on farmers, through a comprehensive analysis of existing research and consultations with key industry stakeholders.

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Download a copy of report: 23-206-Biosecurity-Behaviour-Analysis.pdf (agrifutures.com.au)

The Senate Select Committee on Supermarket Prices has announced an initial set of dates to hear stories about bad behaviour by supermarkets.

The first round of hearings will be in Hobart this Thursday 7 March, then Orange on 12 March and Melbourne at Tullamarine on 13 March. Further dates may be announced at the discretion of the Committee.

Jolyon Burnett, Chair of the NFF Horticulture Council, said it was critically important as many fresh produce growers and wholesalers as possible supplying the supermarkets, either directly or indirectly, shared their stories.

“Individual anecdotes are powerful without doubt. Even better is number of people describing the same practice or behaviour which will allow this inquiry to establish a pattern and paint a more complete picture,” said Mr Burnett.

“It is only with a clear picture that we’ll get from this inquiry the right sort of recommendations that will make a difference to the lives and profitability of our industry for years to come.

“Growers are already coming forward, supplying industry representatives with compelling evidence of behaviour we think is unfair, unethical and often abusive. But we need more as there’s strength in numbers.”

In addition to the hearings announced, the Committee where requested will also make arrangements for individual growers to give evidence confidentially from their home or office by secure video link straight into Parliament House.

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HÀ NỘI — The Australian government has just announced the approval of the agriculture visa subclass 403 which allows workers in a range of agriculture sectors and skill levels from certain Southeast Asia countries including Việt Nam to work in Australia.

According to Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) which is in charge of the visa subclass 403, workers from the first four countries – Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines can apply for the visa and get an opportunity to stay in Australia to work for up to four years. 

The visa holders can be employed to work in agriculture, forestry and fishery including horticulture, animal husbandry, harvesting, processing, and other support services. They can earn over 4,000 AUD monthly (US$2,600) not including incomes from extra shifts.

According to the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry, Australia lacks about 30,000 workers each year in horticulture alone. Its livestock, meat processing, dairy, and agricultural packaging industries are also facing labour shortages. Therefore, the visa subclass 403 will be an opportunity for Australian farms and local businesses to have more workers, solving the human resource problem.

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