Grain Producer Support for Grains Representation in South Australia
Nov 19, 2012
Grain Producer Support for Grains Representation in South Australia
Grain producers in South Australia have thrown their weight behind improving grower representation in this state.
After more than twelve months of consultation, the Primary Industries Funding Scheme Grains Regulation 2012 (PIFS Grain) contribution will be set at 20 cents per tonne. The initial rate for the PIFS Grain was 5 cents per tonne. The PIFS Grain was established in March 2012 to replace the Wheat Marketing Act 1989 which had previously been collecting 5 cents per tonne.
Residual funds from the Wheat Marketing Act 5 cent scheme have been shared between SAFF and GPSA and are being used for projects that provide benefits to the grain grower contributors to the old scheme.
The change to the contribution rate has come about after a number of different consultation processes conducted by GPSA since 2011 including grower surveys. The most recent survey commencing on 12 September was available on the website and by email and letter to 1,200 GPSA members as well as distributed to the SAFF address list. In a show of overwhelming industry support, 70% of grain grower respondents support the increase.
Consultations with grain growers at meetings, and field days also indicated support for an increase in the rate for contributions. This confirms the informal impression from independent meetings for the purpose of drafting the fund’s management plan conducted by consulting firm Hudson Howells in June 2012 that the current 5 cent per tonne rate was unlikely to be sufficient.
Those growers not wanting to contribute have the capacity to claim a refund from Minister for Agriculture, who is the administrator of the PIFS Grain fund.
Darren Arney, CEO of Grain Producers SA (GPSA), said that grain producers in South Australia had overwhelmingly supported a fund paid by all grain producers to provide for representation in projects and activities that benefit all grain producers. “Grain growers have indicated enormous support for projects to be undertaken that will benefit grain producers across South Australia” he said.
Mr Arney said that South Australian grain producers had highlighted key projects around competition in grain storage and handling and competition amongst grain buyers as two priority issues that need to be dealt with urgently”.
“GPSA will continue to pursue changes to national legislation to ensure equitable port access for competing grain exporters, for information on grain stocks to be made available for all competing grain buyers and quality assurance for all grain exports “ said Mr Arney.
Other key projects include market development and monitoring, improving grain transport and logistics and improved transparency around grain pool operations. “GPSA will be working with industry partners and key government agencies to ensure outcomes to improve the profitability and sustainability of grain producers in South Australia” said Garry Hansen, Chairman of GPSA.
About Grain Producers SA Limited
GPSA is a not-for-profit, South Australian organisation, seeking to improve the profitability and sustainability of all grain producers in South Australia.
For Further Information Contact:
| Garry Hansen (Chairman) | Darren Arney (CEO) |
| 0427 390 626 | 0448 186 707 |
Email Darren: darren@grainproducerssa.com.au
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