Australian banana growers urged to vote in national levy ballot

 

28 May 2007

 

Banana growers have less than a week to get their levy ballot papers in the mail in time to reach the Ballot Administrator by post before 4pm AEST on 4 June.

 

The Australian Banana Growers’ Council is seeking to implement a compulsory national banana levy to fund banana promotion, research and development, and plant health-related activities.

 

ABGC president Patrick Leahy said this levy is vitally important to the banana industry’s future but majority support is required before a levy can be established.

 

Mr Leahy said ABGC firmly believes that without this levy there will be:

• No more industry funded banana research
• Continued loss of banana scientific expertise
• No more banana congress
• No more Australian Bananas magazine
• No exotic banana pest or disease surveillance
• No more banana disease diagnostic capability
• No more QBAN tissue culture nursery accreditation scheme
• Future of industry development officer projects in doubt
• Future banana promotional activity in doubt

“As an industry we must ask ourselves if we are willing to risk the loss of these services and more if this levy proposal is voted down,” Mr Leahy said.
 
“ABGC has a duty to point out these realities and take appropriate steps to change things for the better.”

 

Voting is not compulsory, but it is vital that sufficient growers involve themselves in this decision so that it reflects a majority view.

 

“I say to growers – please make sure you allow time to have your declarations witnessed and allow time for any unexpected delays in the postal system. Post your vote today.”

 

“The proposal is for a set 1.7c/kg levy on all bananas sold, with 1.16c/kg being directed to promotion and 0.54c/kg to research and development.”

That 1.7c/kg multiplies into $4.4 million annually, when all growers are involved in supporting industry initiatives.

 

Mr Leahy said ABGC has put considerable effort into developing a levy model which takes account of all the viewpoints and feedback from the earlier proposal, which was scuttled in 2005 because of a lack of industry solidarity.

 

Banana research investment has since dwindled to the point where it is almost non-existent, promotion is constrained because it is only funded by a minority, and industry is stranded without reserves to direct towards any pest or disease incursions.

 

 

For information contact Patrick Leahy on 07 4068 0209, Nicky Singh on 0402 214 800

Tony Heidrich on 0427 987 499. Media contact Jane Milburn 0408 787 964

 

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