Welcome to a new year for positive change
Welcome to a new year of celebrating, advocating and educating Australians on our essential horticulture industry!
Upon reflection on the past few years, the horticulture industry has faced many trials – from food safety to natural disasters and even a global pandemic.
Through this, we have learnt many lessons to propel us in the right direction for positive and permanent change in our industry this year.
To assist with moving forward in the right direction, we urge you to utilise our numerous member resources such as training, workshops, webinars and newsletters, all designed to help you create a fair, safe and profitable business.
We have an exciting and productive year planned for our Fair Farms members, so let's make 2023 a year of positive change.
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Grower Engagement Officer visits Western Australia -
March 2023
In conjunction with Veg WA, Fair Farms’ Grower Engagement Officer Donna Mogg will be visiting beautiful Western Australia in March.
Donna will travel to Perth, Geraldton, Carnarvon, Donnybrook and Manjimup to attend grower meetings and deliver a workshop about Social Compliance and Ethical Trading requirements.
The purpose of the trip is to visit with Fair Farms members and expand knowledge and understanding of these important issues with growers and how, as part of the supply chain, they may find themselves subject to the provisions of the Modern Slaver Act.
Donna will also discuss the key features of the Fair Farms program with WA growers and how Fair Farms provides a clear pathway through Self-Assessment, Training, Audit and Certification for up to three years.
As the only program developed by Horticulture for Horticulture Producers, Fair Farms is your go-to for all things Fair Work, WHS and Social Compliance.
Donna will be in Perth on March 7th, 12th and 14th, Geraldton on March 8th, Carnarvon on 9th, 10th and 11th, and Manjimup on March 13th.
Please give Donna a call on 0472 922 811 or email dmogg@growcom.com.au if you’d like to catch up.
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Webinars
In case you missed our recent webinars, we’ve provided some key points and the opportunity to watch the replay.
WEBINAR: Too much seasoning?
Within this webinar, our Fair Farms' Engagement Officer, Donna Mogg, spoke about the practical steps you can take to run a fun and safe event for your team.
Highlights include:
- Employer and employee obligations at work events
- Code of Conduct during work events
- Setting a time limit
- Ensure alternatives to alcohol by providing non-alcoholic drinks and food
- Consider transport and getting home safely
Missed this webinar? Watch the recording here.
WEBINAR: Changes to the Fair Work legislation and Impacts on Employers
Our Workplace Relations Specialist, Amanda Higgins, hosted our latest webinar covering the recent changes to the Fair Work Act and how they might affect your employment practices on the farm.
Highlights include:
- New enterprise bargaining rules
- Flexible work provisions
- Fixed-term contract restrictions
- Changes to requirements around sexual harassment and parental leave provisions
Missed this webinar? You can view the slides here.
UPCOMING WEBINAR: A Briefing on Modern Slavery in the Agriculture Industries
Join our Fair Farms’ Engagement Officer, Donna Mogg, as she provides an overview of social compliance issues and obligations (responsible sourcing, ethical trading) and how the Modern Slavery Act reporting requirements are moving down the supply chain.
The webinar is an excellent opportunity for those unfamiliar with the Act and to get an idea of what’s in place, what’s in store, and what it might mean for their business. It will also serve as the precursor to a more detailed workshop delivered around the country throughout 2023.
Highlights include:
- What modern slavery looks like in Australia
- Labour Hire Providers - accessorial liability
- What you should do
- How Fair Farms helps to address
Held on: Wednesday, 22 February. Register for the webinar here.
The monthly Fair Farms webinar series aims to provide practical and tailored information and advice for horticultural producers.
These free webinars, on the last Wednesday of every month, cover topics on labour-hire agreements, workplace health and safety, and managing performance.
Our upcoming webinars include:
- Working with LHPs in un-regulated states
- Taking a deep dive into the Fair Farms Manual, the Program and its benefits.
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Have some feedback, comments or any special requests from our webinars?
We'd love to hear it
Get in touch with Donna at dmogg@growcom.com.au and have your say!
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Meet our new Communications Officer
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We are pleased to welcome Josh Harris to the team as our new Fair Farms Communications Officer!
Originally from Tasmania, Josh developed an extensive knowledge of the sector through his years as a journalist reporting on the agricultural industry, combined with his experience on the family farm.
With a particular interest in sustainable agri-tourism projects, Josh is eager to immerse himself in a new environment and face all the unique challenges and rewards of promoting fair farming practices in Australia.
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The Modern Slavery Act, Social Compliance and Ethical Sourcing - Moving down the supply chain
The Modern Slavery Act entered into force on 1 January 2019 and requires entities based or operating in Australia, which have an annual consolidated revenue of more than $100 million, to report annually on the risks of modern slavery in their operations and supply chains, and the actions to address those risks.
While growers might smile wistfully at the very thought of those numbers, remember that major retailers and suppliers do meet this threshold and their obligation is to report on their supply chain.
Ethical sourcing refers to the practice of procuring goods and services in a responsible and sustainable manner, taking into account social, environmental, and economic considerations.
It involves considering the entire lifecycle of a product, from raw material extraction to disposal, and ensuring that all actors involved in the supply chain are treated fairly and responsibly.
Social compliance refers to the process of ensuring that a company, its operations and its supply chains are in compliance with labour, human rights, and ethical standards.
It involves implementing and maintaining systems, policies, and procedures to monitor and evaluate the social and ethical conditions under which products are made, including working conditions, wages, hours of work, and health and safety.
How do we assess and address these Risks?
Don’t miss one of Donna’s workshops on these important topics, how they impact Horticulture Employers and how to assess and address risks through Fair Farms.
Workshops will be held in various growing regions around Australia throughout 2023. If we are not in your region, just ask and we will try our best!
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Reminder
As per Fair Farms Standards v2, set timeframes for completion of activities are required to be met to fulfil the Fair Farms standards requirements.
PLEASE NOTE : Adherence to the above time frames is monitored by Fair Farms and Retailers as to ensure compliance through their supply chain.
By not adhering to these important dates, please be aware that this could compromise and impede market access.
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WHAT IS THE OSA ??
The Online Self-Assessment is required to be completed at initial registration to the Fair Farms Program and provides a high-level overview for businesses to capture a snapshot of their current practices and operations.
The completion of the OSA then becomes an annual requirement of the Fair Farms Standards, which assists business in taking a step back and reviewing their business practices over their last 12 months.
This is a great opportunity for a business to commit a self-health check, as well as a tool to review any new practice that introduce risk,
Should business operations have changed and evolved, i.e., introduction of labour hire / new salaried or casual direct employees / provision of accommodation etc, the annual completion of the OSA provides the business an avenue for reflection, and the ability to update current internal practices, along with the emphasis and guidance on updating relevant business documentation to assist in meeting compliance.
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Looking forward
New Technical Committee EOI
Fair Farms is pleased to announce that it is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) to become a Fair Farms Independent Technical Committee Member.
Expressions of Interest are welcomed from duly appointed and suitably experienced individuals interested in contributing their expertise, knowledge, and industry feedback to improving the Fair Farms Program's Certification framework and delivery.
The Technical Committee is not a decision-making body but rather a dedicated committee that provides the technical expertise, guidance, advice, and recommendations to the Board for consideration in enacting change and amendments within the Fair Farms Program Framework and supporting documentation.
This is conducted by revising and providing expert advice regarding the Fair Farms Standards, Rules and Audit Guide documentation and following the relevant Terms of Reference.
If you are interested in contributing to a leading National Australian Training and Certification Program, please complete and submit your EOI by the close of business on 17 February 2023.
The Committee will consist of the following expert members:
- Independent Chair
- A Legal Representative specialising in Employment Law
- A Legal Representative specialising in Work Health and Safety
- A Standards Development / Regulation Specialist
- An Experienced Horticulture Industry Operator with a practical understanding of operational, technical, and logistical facets of the Horticulture Industry
- A Nominated Fair Farms Representative
To submit your EOI, please download and complete the nomination form.
https://lnkd.in/g3dpFwSg
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The new Family and Domestic Violence Leave legislation affects all employers. This is an important development to understand in relation to both your obligations as an employer, and how you and your managers may need to be ready to handle conversations with your people about challenging personal situations.
This webinar brought to you by Horticulture Queensland, and presented by Focus HR and Business Resilience Centre will provide insights into:
- Understanding the entitlements under the new legislation
- How to implement this on a practical level
- Developing a safety plan
- Guidance for Managers on how to initiate and respond to FDV related conversations
This is a must-attend for business owners/CEOs/GMs and HR practitioners seeking to understand how to implement this legislation at a practical, people-oriented level.
DATE: Wednesday, 8 March 2023
TIME: 2pm - 3pm
LOCATION: Online
Register Online Here |
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