From 1 October 2018, the Emergency Plant Pest Response (EPPR) component of the vegetable and unprocessed potatoes levies and charges will change from:

  • Nil to 0.01 per cent of the amount paid at the first point of sale for vegetables; and
  • Nil to 10 cents per tonne for unprocessed potatoes.

The funds raised through the EPPR levy will be used to pay industry’s share of costs to the tomato potato psyllid biosecurity response and a 12 month transition to management program.

The below table details the changes to the overall levy rates for vegetables and unprocessed potatoes that will be taking place from 1 October 2018.

  Levy component Current rate until 30 September 2018 New rate from 1 October 2018
Vegetables EPPR nil 0.01% of sale value
R&D 0.485% of sale value 0.485% of sale value
PHA 0.015% of sale value 0.015% of sale value
Total 0.50% of sale value 0.51% of sale value
Unprocessed potatoes EPPR nil 10 cents per tonne
R&D 48 cents per tonne 48 cents per tonne
PHA 2 cents per tonne 2 cents per tonne
Total 50 cents per tonne 60 cents per tonne

Note: The new rate will need to be used when calculating your quarterly return for the October to December period.

If you are eligible to lodge an annual calendar year return, you will need to use the following rates for all vegetables and unprocessed potatoes sold from 1 January to 30 September 2018:

  • 0.50% of sale value for vegetables; and
  • 50 cents per tonne rate for all unprocessed potatoes.

You will need to use the following rates for all vegetables and unprocessed potatoes sold from 1 October to 31 December 2018:

  • 0.51% of sale for vegetables; and
  • 60 cents per tonne rate for all unprocessed potatoes.

GST does not apply to Australian Government levies and charges.

Information on the vegetable levy and charge
For more information on the vegetable levy and charge, please visit the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website.

Who can I contact if I have questions about this notice?
If you have any questions about the vegetables levy and charge, your levies account or how to lodge your return, please contact the Levies Helpdesk by calling 1800 020 619 or by sending an email to levies.management@agriculture.gov.au.

This post appeared in the AUSVEG Weekly Update published 11 September 2018. Subscribe to the Update using our online form to receive the latest industry news in your inbox every week!