Biosecurity has released the following series of information sheets. Please see documents below or contact Summerfruit Australia for any further explanation. The public comment period ends 20th December 2010.
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) today released for public comment a draft determination of the prices that the NSW Office of Water (acting for the Water Administration Ministerial Corporation) can charge water users for water management activities.
Great news! The Australian summer stonefruit campaign featuring Con The Fruiterer has been honoured with the Highly Commended Award (second) in the Consumer and Social Marketing category at the Public Relations Institute of Australia’s NSW State Awards for Excellence. This is fantastic because this category is by far the most fiercely contested with around 40 finalists of a high standard throughout.
Growers that are intending to export to Taiwan in the coming season should obtain the Taiwan Cold Disinfestation Workplan 2010 and see what requirnments they need to meet. For more information contact John Moore
The university of western Sydney has started a nationwide project to study horticultural businesses. They are hoping to involve as many growers in the horticultural sector as possible to study the potential for adding value to farm produce. They are also very interested in studying environmental concerns that are affecting horticultural growers.
The Summerfruit Industry 2009/10 Annual Report is now available for industry members to view.
Fruit Fly Protocol-approved by BAPHIQ and provided to industry 29/07/10 can be viewed here.
With the likelihood of severe regulatory change in the short term, how do you fathom the suggested alternatives using a systems approach? This is not the ultimate answer, however the APVMA is considering change to current usage of Dimethoate & Fenthion which will most likely impinge on your ability to manage Queensland Fruit Fly. There is no emerging chemical replacement in the short term. If the APVMA deem these chemicals to be harmful to the environment or to human health the chemicals may be withdrawn immediately.
With the conference program tailored to your region, don’t miss your chance to hear from 12 speakers across four sessions at ABARE–BRS’s Swan Hill Regional Outlook conference on Wednesday 18 August.
The Summerfruit Australia Board has an implicit undertaking that the notification in the following announcements are subject to certified scientific verification trials being demonstrated to Australia (Biosecurity and Industry).The Board has a close working relationship with Biosecurity and until conclusive scientific evidence is produced no stonefruit (apricots, nectarines, peaches or plums) will enter from the USA.
Summerfruit Australia Limited Board has expressed serious concern of imports of horticultural product into Australia in the wake of Biosecurity Australia’s (BA) recent decision on the importation of apples from China. It is apparent that no request was made by BA of the Chinese for conclusive research findings confirming apples are not a host for Spotted Winged Drosophila Suzukki.
Last year SAL finalised a submission to DAFF for the implementation of the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed on behalf of Stone Fruit Levy Payers and resulting from this the following legislative instruments have been registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments (FRLI) by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing.
In light of the new Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) Operating Principles in Relation to Spray Drift Risk, DPI Chemical Standards (with the support of the APVMA) are looking to gather data on water rates used in horticulture. This data will be presented in a report to the APVMA in order to help with the development of mandatory no spray buffer zones using realistic values (rather than worst case scenario water rates).
EXHIBITION WILL CATER FOR FARMERS AND GROWERS
What: Australian Irrigation Conference & Exhibition 2010 When: 8-10 June 2010 Where: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour
Catch up on Global Fruit & Vegetable News
For updated information on the Import Risk Analysis information see the Biosecurity Australia site. From here you can view further information on provisional final import risk analysis report for fresh stone fruit from California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington has been released Comments are invited until 16 April 2010
See the summerfruit growers page/ for updated information on varieties, horticluture permits, Ag chem update and information on Carbendazim.
Together with the University of Western Sydney and the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW, Woolworths is offering 30 young Australians the opportunity to attend the 2010 Woolworths Agricultural Business Scholarship program.Further information available here.
Summerfruit Australia in conjunction with Fair Work Ombudsman will be conducting Horticulture industry seminars including information on the Horticulture Award 2010. Dates include; Batlow 27th April, Young 28th April and Orange 29th April. Further information on these Horticulture-Industry-Seminars is available here.
Stakeholders and levy payers are invited to comment on the HAL Strategic Investment Plan 2010 – 2015. Comments can be submitted to John Moore ceo@summerfruit.com.au by April 16th.
Nominations are now being called for Directors positions for Summerfruit Australia Limited. More Information
National Low Chill Stonefruit Conference – PROGRAM &_REGISTRATION FORM. Conference will be held 27th to 30th April at Ballina NSW.
Industry super fund, AustSafe Super, has been included as a default fund in the Modernised Awards for the Horticulture industry to take effect from 1 January 2010. See AustSafe Horticulture Super Press Release for further information
Drip Feed Issue 1 January 2010 contains the analysis undertaken by Donna Mogg (Growcom) on behalf of the Award Taskforce of the Horticulture Award, along with the National Employment Standards, both of which commenced on 1 January. It builds on the brief material put out before Christmas.
The EBPPP, $25m initiative to increase the skill base of existing workers, will commence in 2010 and is being managed by DEEWR through skills councils. Funding of up to 90% of the cost of training is available to participating businesses.
The new Horticulture Award 2010 was finally released by the AIRC on 23 December 2009. Certain elements of the award took effect from 1 January 2010, with increase/decreases to monetary provisions (ie penalty rates, loadings, allowances etc) to begin to take effect from 1 July 2010. The Horticulture Industry Award 2010 Key Elements can be viewed here. The full Horticulture Award 2010 details are now also available.