The Greens have Australian farmers’ backs!

Australian horticulture and agriculture leaders have welcomed news that The Greens are going to support industry’s campaign against an independent Senator’s push to vote down the nation’s agriculture levy system.

Leaders of key industries rallied in Tasmania today (August 21) to voice their concerns about a Senate vote scheduled for 26 August 2014 that has the potential to threaten Australia’s world-leading agriculture levy system.

The levy system underpins Australia’s agricultural research and development, marketing, plant and animal health systems that have made our nation one of the leading agricultural producers of the world.

The Australian onion, mango and mushroom industries have joined in a bid to fight off a Senate motion to disallow recently approved changes to their levy systems.

The motion has been tabled notwithstanding the industries conducting a rigorous five year process of consultation, investing grower funds and conducting AEC independent ballots.

Today The Greens announced that they would not support any motion that would threaten the future of Australia’s agriculture levy system.

The Greens have stated that they understood that increases and amendments to these levies were supported by growers and provided important investments in their industries and therefore they would oppose any move to disallow the changes.

Onions Australia Levy Champion Brian Bonde welcomed The Greens’ decision to support Australian farmers.

“The Greens have seen that Australian farmers are doing their best to invest in their own future and have come on board to ensure that not only continues, but thrives,” he said.

“The levy changes have been requested by growers, to invest for the benefit of all levy payers and have been approved by a majority of growers in these three industries, having followed rigorous and transparent government consultation guidelines.

“With some of the lowest agriculture subsidies in the world, the levy system is the best way to keep Australian horticulture and agriculture funding their future in a self-sufficient way.

“We congratulate The Greens for assuring Aussie farmers that they have our backs.”
Brian Bonde – Levy Champion, Onions Australia, Lechelle Earl – CEO, Onions Australia