Proposed increase to EPPR levies

30 November 2017

Current situation

In February tomato potato psyllid (TPP, the psyllid) was detected in commercial and backyard crops across the Perth metro area. Our industry has never had to deal with this pest before, although it is found around the world in places such as the U.S.A., Central America, New Zealand and Norfolk Island.

The psyllid has been detected in multiple locations Western Australia, with the majority of detections having been in the Perth metropolitan area.

The psyllid causes ‘psyllid yellows’ in solanaceous crops and commonly vectors a bacterium (CLSo) that causes Zebra chip in potato. This bacterium has not been detected in Australia so far.

Eradication activities were undertaken in late March. As the potato and vegetable industry’s representative for the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (the Deed), AUSVEG endorsed these eradication activities and agreed to attempt to raise the vegetable and fresh potato biosecurity levies to contribute to the response.

Eradication activities have been cost-shared at a ratio of 80:20 respectively between governments (the Federal government and all state governments) and affected industries that are signed to the Deed (Nurseries & Gardens, Processed Tomatoes, Vegetables, Potatoes).

Based on the extent of spread, in late April it was decided that the psyllid cannot be eradicated from WA. Following this decision, a 12 month industry/government cost-shared Transition to Management (T2M) program was endorsed. The program will conclude in May 2018.

A T2M program is a structured way of winding down an eradication response and handing management of the pest to industry in order to ensure that it has the tools and resources it needs to effectively manage the pest.

On completion of the T2M phase:

• We will know if CLso is carried by our TPP population;
• We will have guidance material to manage TPP at a farm level;
• We will have a national plan to guide management of TPP now, and into the future;
• We will have interstate compliance protocols for produce grown in affected regions; and
• We will have begun Australian research on the biology and management of our endemic population.

Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development staff who will work on the T2M plan will be supported from the industry by National TPP Program Coordinator Alan Nankivell, who will lead development of the National Management Plan and contribute to farm management guidance material. Importantly, this role is funded for three years, ensuring that initiatives that are begun during the T2M phase can be continued by the Coordinator throughout the life of the project.

TPP Transition to Management (T2M) Response plan

In late 2017 national agreement was reached on a management plan for TPP by federal and state governments, and the horticulture industry. Agreement on details of the plan followed extensive effort by governments and industry representative bodies to develop the scope, aims and details of the plan, which will conclude in May 2018. Transitioning to management follows national agreement TPP cannot be eradicated and efforts should focus on management.

The Transition to Management Plan will improve the capacity of the horticulture sector to manage TPP, and build confidence around the status of the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso) associated with TPP. There have been no detections of CLso in Western Australia to date.

While the T2M plan activities will be undertaken in Western Australia, it is important that vegetable and potato growers recognise the opportunity provided by undertaking T2M activities before the psyllid is widespread. The T2M plan will increase our preparedness for managing TPP in currently unaffected production areas, and minimise the risk of trade impacts should the pest spread.

As this plan has been developed under the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed, activities will be cost shared between governments and affected industries at 80%:20% respectively.

The plan focusses on the following major activities:

• targeted surveillance for TPP/CLso complex during Spring 2017 and Autumn 2018
• scientific research to improve understanding of TPP, its biology and options for control
• management of TPP through the development of national and enterprise management plans
• market access and trade

Other states will also implement surveillance for the pest.

For more information about the plan please contact the National TPP Coordinator, Alan Nankivell on +61 428 260 430  or alan.nankivell@ausveg.com.au

Increasing the vegetable and fresh potato Emergency Plant Pest Response (EPPR) levies

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.

When added to collection of the R&D levies this would increase current levy collection from vegetable growers from 0.5 per cent to 0.51 per cent and from fresh potato growers from 50 cents per tonne to 60 cents per tonne.

It is expected that the EPPR levies 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.

Other horticulture industries will contribute to the TPP response, which totals over $5.1million and will be cost shared between government and industry at a ratio of 80:20.

It is expected that EPPR rates of 0.01 per cent for vegetables and 10 cents per tonne for fresh potatoes will accrue approximately $187,000 and $130,000 annually (respectively) based on 2016/2017 figures and fluctuations in total farm gate sales over recent years.

[EPPR levy calculation summary]

If the rate is increased from 0 per cent, amounts collected by the EPPR levy will be paid to Plant Health Australia (PHA). PHA is required to hold the payments for each participating plant industry in a separate bank account and use the funds to reduce the liability of industry to the Federal Government.

A Frequently Asked Questions document has been created to answer any questions relating to the proposed EPPR levy increase. Please click here for more information.

Objection period – 29 January – 14 March 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 during the objection 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

Objections can also be made by filling out our online survey form. To access this form, please click here.

Following the objection period AUSVEG must formally advise the Department of:

• Any objections received;
• How each objection was resolved, or reasons why the objection should not affect the setting of the levy at the proposed rate;
• Or that no objections were received.

For more information please contact:

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