Citrus Australia CEO Judith Damiani has encouraged growers to vote in favour of a levy increase during the National Citrus Growers’ Levy 2014 Ballot, which opens later this month.
Damiani said the current level of investment is preventing growers from capitalising on opportunities in developing export markets, particularly across Asia.
“Many growers are keen to boost funding for research and development (R&D) and biosecurity measures to better compete in the Asian century and protect their orchards from exotic pests,” she explained. “The proposed increase was determined as a result of the cost benefit analysis conducted as part of Horticulture Australia Limited’s (HAL) five year citrus R&D plan to demonstrate the level of funding needed to address key industry issues.”
The proposed increase would see the HAL R&D levy rise from A$1.97 per tonne to A$3.20 per tonne, while the Plant Health Australia biosecurity levy would increase from A$0.03 to A$0.30 per tonne. Total grower contributions would A$1.50 per tonne.
Damiani said the current R&D levy had served the industry for the past 16 years, while the biosecurity levy has been in place for almost 10 years.Citrus Australia chair Tania Chapman echoed Damiani’s comments, saying the citrus industry needed to invest more in developing its offering if it wanted to compete in the world market.
““Australian citrus growers are up against lower cost nations like South Africa and Chile,” she said. “To remain a viable and competitive industry we need to be more strategic in our approach to R&D and invest more in programmes that help grow a superior and safe product.”
The ballot opens on 29 October and will remain open for one month.
