Vegetables Australia May-June_MR

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14 | May/June - 2017 | 15
R&D | FAIR FARMS INITIATIVE |
Growcom’s Fair Farms Initiative is set to be rolled out nationally in an effort to improve the reputation of the
horticulture industry in relation to the treatment of workers, and give growers the tools to prove they are good
employers. The launch of this initiative will take place at Hort Connections 2017.
NEW INITIATIVE TO PROVIDE A FAIR GO FOR
WORKERS AND GROWERS
THE NATIONAL VEGETABLE LEVY AT WORK
This communication has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using the research and
development National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government. Project Number: VG15027
The levy is paid by growers who produce vegetables in Australia.
• The charge is set at half of one per cent at the first point of sale.
The Federal Government also provides funding in addition to
grower levy payments. Once paid, these funds are managed by
Horticulture Innovation Australia.
WHO PAYS THE NATIONAL VEGETABLE LEVY?
HOW IS LEVY MONEY INVESTED?
HOW CAN GROWERS GET INVOLVED?
Vegetable growers play a fundamental role in advising on the allocation of both levy and co-investment funds,
and will be engaged in extensive consultation with Hort Innovation in regional grower meetings, industry-specific
consultation programs and individual grower and grower group consultation. Growers can also submit ideas for
R&D projects via Hort Innovation’s Concept Portal at
For more information about the National Vegetable Levy, visit
There are now two pools with different funding priorities.
Pool 1 is funded by grower levies with contributions from the
Federal Government. This pool has a one to five year scope
and will invest in applied R&D designed to directly benefit
growers. This includes pest and disease management and
biosecurity matters, with findings communicated through a
variety of channels including Vegetables Australia.
Pool 2 has a one to 15 year scope and matches strategic
co-investment funds with at least $20 million, at the Pool’s
maturity, of government seed funds annually. This pool aims
to address multi- and cross-industry challenges and
opportunities of strategic and long-term importance to
Australia’s horticulture industries.
Six ‘Foundation Funds’ have so far been established in Pool 2 and
will work with an expert panel to direct strategic projects.
They are:
• The Leadership and People Development Fund
• The Fruit Fly Fund
• The Asian Markets Fund
• The Green Cities Fund
• The Health, Nutrition and Food Safety Fund
• Pollination Fund
POOL 1
1-5 Year scope
Hort Innovation Advisory Mechanism
& Procurement Process
Government investment
R&D Service Provider
Benefits
Grower
Levy funds
POOL 2
1-15 Year scope
Australian horticulture
Contributed funds
Industry consultation
Government investment
R&D Service Provider
Benefits
While the majority of growers do treat their workers fairly and
are compliant with workplace legislation, sadly, the actions of
a few have attracted significant media coverage, tarnishing the
reputation of the industry as a whole.
To combat this, Growcom will launch its Fair Farms Initiative at
Hort Connections 2017 during the Workplace Relations Symposium,
to be held on 17 May at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
“The focus of the Fair Farms Initiative is to ensure that growers
not only have the tools and knowledge to treat their workers fairly,
but can also demonstrate that to their customers and the wider
community,” Growcom Chief Advocate Rachel Mackenzie said.
“The initiative is significantly funded through the Fair Work
Ombudsman’s Community Engagement Grants Program and
has a focus on vulnerable workers, however it is our goal that the
program will benefit all workers and growers in the longer term.”
INITIATIVE FOCUS
The Fair Farms Initiative has five main components:
• A series of informative articles on key workplace relations issues
for publication in an array of industry magazines including Fruit
and Vegetable News, Vegetables Australia, Potatoes Australia
and other regional and industry publications.
• The rollout of the Hort360 Workplace Relations best
management practice (BMP) module nationally over the
next four years, to enable growers to conduct a confidential
risk assessment of their current practice and identify areas
for improvement.
• Targeted regional seminars throughout Australia focusing on key
areas of non-compliance.
• The development, through Freshcare, of a voluntary third-
party audited certification for growers to enable them to
demonstrate compliance.
• Development of a pathway to qualifications in Human Resources
for interested growers.
“These activities will be supported by a strong presence at Hort
Connections 2017 in May. Come and visit us at the Workplace
Relations Hub at the Trade Show or come along to the Workplace
Relations Workshop,” Ms Mackenzie said.
“The workshop will cover issues such as the Horticulture Award,
the proposed ethical employment certification under Freshcare,
and outline the essential steps and records growers must have in
place to comply with IR legislation.”
The Workplace Relations Workshop will be held on Wednesday
17 May from 11:30am-2:00pm at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
• Donna Mogg – Horticulture Workplace Relations Specialist
• Annabel Hutch – Growcom Workplace Relations Advisor
• Rachel Mackenzie – Growcom Chief Advocate
• Clare Hamilton-Bate – Freshcare Executive Officer
• Jane Muller – Growcom Senior Project and Policy Officer
Keep an eye out for articles on the Fair Farms Initiative in
future editions of Vegetables Australia. For more information,
please contact Workplace Relations Advisor Annabel Hutch
on 07 3620 3844 or email
INTRODUCING THE FAIR FARMS INITIATIVE TEAM
For more information about the Fair Farms Initiative Workplace Relations
Symposium, please visit
This communication has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia
Limited using the research and development National Vegetable Levy and
funds from the Australian Government.
Project Number: VG15027
INFO
R&D