The vegetable and fresh potato industries have Emergency Plant Pest Response (EPPR) levies set at the rate of zero per cent for vegetables and zero cents per tonne for fresh potatoes, which were put in place in 2012 following extensive industry consultation.

The EPPR levies provide a mechanism for the vegetable and fresh potato industries to fund preparedness and eradication activities to reduce the threat of exotic plant pests.

AUSVEG intends to request that the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources:

  • increase the vegetable EPPR levy from zero per cent to a positive rate of 0.01 per cent of the value at the point of sale; and
  • increase the fresh potato EPPR levy from zero cents per tonne to a positive rate of 10 cents per tonne at the point of sale.

If successfully increased it is intended that funds accrued by the EPPR levies will contribute to paying costs relating to TPP eradication activities, and a 12 month Transition to Management program.

It is expected that the EPPR levies will run at the above rates for approximately three years. After costs are repaid to the Federal Government, the levies will be reduced to zero per cent for vegetables and zero cents per tonne for fresh potatoes.

Estimated costs for small, medium and large vegetable farms

Small farm ($100,000 in cash receipts) = $10.00 per year contribution
Medium farm ($450,000 in cash receipts) = $45.00 per year contribution
Large farm ($3,000,000 in cash receipts) = $300.00 per year contribution

Estimated costs for small, medium and large potato farms

Small farm (50 tonnes of potato production) = $5.00 per year contribution
Medium farm (500 tonnes of potato production) = $50.00 per year contribution
Large farm (5,000 tonnes of potato production) = $500.00 per year contribution

For more information on the current situation and the EPPR levies, go to ausveg.com.au/tpp-response.

Objection period – 29 January to 28 February 2018

Growers who wish to lodge an objection to the above increase to the EPPR levies can do so by contacting AUSVEG or the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources using the contact details below during the objection period. An online survey form will also be available during that period.

AUSVEG
info@ausveg.com.au
Phone: (03) 9882 0277

Department of Agriculture and Water Resources – Levies
levies.management@agriculture.gov.au
Phone: (02) 6272 2057

All objections will be reviewed and responded to.