Australia is introducing a new simplified horticulture industry award governing basic wages and other labour issues in January 2010.

The country’s apple and pear growers are working with other horticultural industries and the horticultural industry body, Horticulture Australia Council (HAC), to inform growers of the changes and what they will mean for their businesses.

The new provision is coming in as part of Australia’s Fair Work Act.

A spokesperson for the HAC said: “It is difficult to specify what impact it will have on Pink Lady exporters to the UK, but if growers implement a collective workplace agreement before January 1, 2010, they may be able to employ people at close to existing arrangements and can maintain that agreement for up to five years.”