Notification of intent to increase the Vegetable Industry Emergency Plant Pest Response (EPPR) Levy

The vegetable industry has an Emergency Plant Pest Response (EPPR) levy set at the rate of 0%, which was put in place in 2012 following extensive industry consultation.
The EPPR Levy provides a mechanism for the vegetable industry 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 (the Minister) increase the EPPR levy from 0% to a positive rate of 0.001% of the value at the point of sale.
If successfully increased it is intended that funds accrued by the EPPR levy will contribute to ongoing annual eradication measures against the Oriental fruit fly, Melon fly and New Guinea fruit fly as a part of the Torres Strait Fruit Fly Strategy.
It is AUSVEG’s intent that the EPPR levy run at a rate of 0.001% for four years in order to fund the Torres Strait Fruit Fly Strategy for three funding cycles, at three years per cycle. If reserve funds are deemed sufficient AUSVEG will request that the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources set the EPPR levy to 0% after four years of collection, so that the annual vegetable industry contribution to the Torres Strait Fruit Fly Strategy can reduce the reserve over the following years.
Vegetable industry levy payers will be notified of the 30 day objection period and method of lodging objections to AUSVEG or the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.

For more information, please click here to read the notification document.

For further information please contact:
• AUSVEG National Manager – Scientific Affairs, Dr Jessica Lye
jessica.lye@ausveg.com.au
Phone: (03) 9882 0277
• AUSVEG Assistant National Manager – Scientific Affairs, Nicholas Schmidt
nicholas.schmidt@ausveg.com.au
Phone: (03) 9882 0277
• Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
Biosecurity Policy & Implementation Division
Phone: (02) 6272 2057

Coles renews as Convention partner!

AUSVEG is proud to announce that Coles has renewed its Convention Partnership with AUSVEG for 2016. The relationship between Coles and AUSVEG has continued to grow over the years, and AUSVEG is extremely happy to be able to work closely with such an important member of our industry.
Coles will be addressing delegates at the 2016 National Horticulture Convention, so keep an eye out for updates about their involvement and news about the Convention. For more information about the Convention, please contact AUSVEG on (03) 9882 0277, email convention@ausveg.com.au or visit the National Horticulture Convention website.

For more information about Coles please visit their website here.

Get in quick – booths are running out!

There is only a select number of booths remaining for the Trade Show at this year’s National Horticulture Convention.
The 2016 Convention, hosted by AUSVEG, Apple and Pear Australia Limited, the Central Markets Association of Australia in partnership with Fresh Markets Australia, Growcom and Persimmons Australia Incorporated, is set to continue as the premier event in Australian agriculture.
Incorporating growers across a wide range of horticultural commodities and supply chain representatives, the 2016 Trade Show is a great opportunity to meet with potential customers and engage with growers and stakeholders from every corner of Australian horticulture. To place your business at the forefront of the industry and ensure that your target audience has the ability to view your products in person, contact AUSVEG on (03) 9882 0277, email convention@ausveg.com.au or visit the National Horticulture Convention website for more information.

Early bird rates still available for the National Horticulture Convention!

Industry members who have not yet registered for the 2016 National Horticulture Convention are encouraged to do so quickly to ensure they secure the early bird rate before it closes on 25 April.
As well as catering for vegetable, potato, apple and pear growers, this year’s event has expanded to include persimmons growers, Queensland’s horticulture industry and a range of market and supply chain members, paving the way for the 2016 National Horticulture Convention to be the biggest horticulture event in the Southern Hemisphere.
To find out more, view the delegate registration brochure, or sign up online at registration.hortconv.com.au.

Capped-price energy audits available for NSW growers

KMH Environmental, in conjunction with the New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage, have announced that there are a limited number of capped-price energy audits available for NSW vegetable and potato growers. These wide-ranging audits are aimed at improving energy productivity, and include analysis of compressed air systems, industrial and commercial refrigeration, and voltage optimisation.
Under this offer the price is capped at $5,000 – this represents a substantial saving on the full cost of an energy audit and over the existing 50/50 subsidy currently offered. For more information on the available services, please click here.

New ICP fact sheet: Lettuce

The Integrated Crop Protection (ICP) project has put together easy-to-read fact sheets on control options (both chemical and non-chemical) for high priority pests in seven different vegetable crops. These fact sheets will provide details on the currently registered and permitted pesticides for key diseases, insects and weeds in each vegetable crop.
This week, the ICP fact sheet focusses on controlling high priority pests in lettuce. Click here to view the fact sheet.
Stay tuned for next week’s release covering pests in peppers. Previous fact sheets on brassica leafy, brassica vegetables, carrots, celery and cucumber can be found here.
To find out more about the ICP project or protecting crops visit the website, or join the Community of Practice online at ICP’s Facebook page. You can also follow the project on Twitter @ProtectingCrops.
The Integrated Crop Protection project is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

Senior ATO officials meet with AUSVEG

AUSVEG CEO Richard Mulcahy, Deputy CEO Andrew White and other senior AUSVEG staff recently met with the Assistant Commissioner of Taxation and other senior ATO officials at AUSVEG in Melbourne.
The meeting was to discuss issues surrounding labour hire companies, ‘Phoenix’ companies and a range of other matters.
The meeting was cordial and constructive.

Finding the cause of Silver scurf transmission

Silver scurf is a significant disease in the potato industry due to the occurrence of fungicide-resistant strains, increased disease severity and the financial losses that come as a result of blemished tubers.
A research study by Dr Jeffrey Miller in the United States was conducted to determine whether seed or soil is the primary source of infection of Silver scurf on progeny tubers, as previous research had not yielded conclusive results.
Through the use of treated and untreated trial sites, the study’s findings demonstrated the importance of seed-borne infection and support the theory that Silver scurf incidence on progeny tubers has the potential to increase with successive field generations due to transmission through seed.
A more detailed report on this research project can be found in the latest edition of Potatoes Australia magazine, which can be found here.
This communication was funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Potato Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

AUSVEG meets with Shadow Minister for Employment

AUSVEG CEO Richard Mulcahy and Deputy CEO Andrew White met with the Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, this week in Melbourne.
The meeting was to discuss issues surrounding labour hire companies and the Seasonal Worker Program.
AUSVEG looks forward to continuing to work constructively with all political parties to progress important policy reforms that address labour issues in the vegetable industry.

2016 AUSVEG VIC Awards for Excellence

For further information on this event, to purchase tickets, or to nominate a deserving member of the Victorian vegetable and potato industries, please visit the AUSVEG VIC events website.

Register now for the Minor Use Prioritisation Workshop and Education Symposium

The Minor Use Prioritisation Workshop will discuss current minor use permits, collect feedback on proposed minor use permits and permits up for renewal and will gather information directly from growers on high priority pests to represent the Australian vegetable industry going forward.
The Workshop will take place on 28 April at the Arkaba Hotel in Adelaide from 11am-4pm. This is a very important event for growers to be involved in as it will have lasting impact on the vegetable industry.
A limited number of fully funded positions are available. To see if you’re eligible or to register your interest for this event, please email AUSVEG at info@ausveg.com.au or call (03) 9882 0277.
The Minor Use Education Symposium will be taking place at RACV Royal Pines on the Gold Coast on Saturday 25 June from 1-5pm. The event will feature presentations from a range of experts in the field of agricultural chemicals to provide attendees with a greater understanding of the minor use field. Click here to view the flyer and register your interest.
The Minor Use Awareness Program is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

EnviroVeg to host a vegetable industry R&D session

Where: Section 88, Gawler Road, Virginia, South Australia
When: Wednesday 30 March 2016, 1pm-4pm

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from leading researchers on topics that include innovative approaches to farm management and the latest updates on the EnviroVeg program.

Speakers will include:
• Mr Noel Johnston, Trainer and Assessor from Irrigation Management Training.
• Mr Paul Hart from Solargain, speaking on best practice energy management systems for growers.
• Mr Geoff Raven from Biosecurity SA, presenting information on the development of pest free growing areas.
• AUSVEG Environment Coordinator Mr Andrew Shaw, providing an update on the EnviroVeg program and demonstrating environmental awareness in your community.
To register, email your details to info@ausveg.com.au or contact AUSVEG on (03) 9882 0277. To view the flyer, please click here.

Please RSVP by Thursday 23 March.

EnviroVeg is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

SURVEY: Have your say on the EnviroVeg program

The EnviroVeg program is giving growers, members and industry stakeholders a chance to have their say on the future of the program.
EnviroVeg is the Australian vegetable industry’s dedicated environmental program promoting sustainable growers and best practice techniques.
To complete the survey online simply click here, or download the survey and submit it to AUSVEG via info@ausveg.com.au.
To find out more, please contact AUSVEG Environment Coordinator Andrew Shaw on (08) 8221 5220.
EnviroVeg is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

Applications to attend Food and Hotel Asia closing soon!

Levy-paying vegetable growers who are currently exporting, or are interested in beginning to export, are invited to apply to attend and exhibit at Food and Hotel Asia (FHA) in Singapore.
This exciting event will give growers the chance to gain an overview of the local market and establish new business contacts in Singapore and surrounding countries. The FHA trade show will run from 12-15 April, with anticipated travel dates for participants being 10-16 April 2016.
To register your interest, please download an application form and return to AUSVEG ASAP via export@ausveg.com.au or via fax on (03) 9882 6722.
This project is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

New final reports now available

New final reports for projects funded by the National Vegetable and Potato Levies have been made available by Hort Innovation.

The reports for the following projects are now available:
• VG12024 Vietnamese Field Extension Officer for the Western Australian Vegetable Industry
• VG12026 Field Extension Officer for Western Australia
• VG13105 Benchmaking and comparing the production and regulatory conditions of Australian vegetable producers with our competitors
• PT14701 Potato Leadership and Development Mission 2015 – China
Copies of these reports can be accessed through the InfoVeg database.

This communication is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy, National Potato Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

Vegetable Innovation Workshop to help growers develop new products

Vegetable growers are invited to attend the second VegInnovations Workshop on Friday 18 March, with a small amount of free seats still available for levy-paying growers.

The workshop will feature speakers with expertise about the process of developing new products and working with retailers to get new products in-store, including:
• Susie White, The Ideas Catalyst
• Angeline Achariya, General Manager, Mondelez International Food Innovation Centre
• Martin Kneebone, Freshlogic
• Dr Hazel MacTavish-West, MacTavish West Pty Ltd
• Tristan Kitchener, Kitchener Partners
• Brodie West, Social Media, Sponsorship & Events Manager, Bulk Nutrients
The workshop will be held on Friday 18 March 2016 at the Mondelez International Food Innovation Centre at 323 Canterbury Road, Ringwood, Victoria. It will run from 8:30am to 4:15pm, with lunch and networking opportunities provided.

For more information on the workshop, please click here to read the flyer or contact Dr Hazel McTavish-West at hazel@mactavishwest.com.au. To register to attend the workshop, please click here.
Project VG14031 is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

Soil Wealth Field Day to be held in Bowen, QLD

Vegetable growers are invited to attend a Soil Wealth field day in Bowen, Queensland, to be held on Thursday 30 March 2016. The field day will visit a demonstration site to view how cover crops and compost improve soil health and yield. For details of this event, see below:

Date: Thursday 30 March
Time: 10am-12 noon
Location: Vee Jays Tomatoes, East Euri Creek Rd, Bowen QLD 4805

For more information on the field day, please contact Chris Monsour on 0429 134 537 or Gordon Rogers 0418 517 777.
The Soil Wealth Program is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy and funds from the Australian Government.

AUSVEG in the media

AUSVEG National Manager – Scientific Affairs Dr Jessica Lye continued to appear on broadcast media and in print welcoming the Northern Territory Government’s decision to lift quarantine controls for the Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV). Dr Lye said the cooperation between industry and growers paved the way for positive results for farmers.
AUSVEG Manager – Communications Shaun Lindhe appeared on broadcast media discussing a new report from ABARES which indicated that the gross value of the vegetable industry is projected to reach $4.2 billion by 2020-21. Mr Lindhe said that the growth of the industry is good news for the national economy, but noted that it is important to see this increased value translated into greater returns at the farmgate.

Communication of levy funded R&D activities is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy, National Potato Levy and funds from the Australian Government.