Concerns raised about grower awareness of new Horticulture Code

“It is the first time that the Code has imposed obligations on both Traders and Growers, and the first time that there are substantial penalties for anyone not complying with those obligations,”

   Wholesalers heard in drafting of new Horticulture Code

   “This Code places the responsibility on everyone to abide by the law, making it a much more even playing field for the whole industry in which to operate.”

Wholesalers welcome Government’s Code response

“Fresh Markets Australia (FMA), has welcomed the Federal Government’s long anticipated response to the review of the Horticulture Code of Conduct.”

Backpacker fiasco is harming horticulture supply chain

“FMA has called on the Federal Parliament to put an end to the political point scoring and agree on the tax rate for Australia’s overseas backpacker labour before more damage is done to the $9 billion horticulture industry.”

Clarification on ACCC’s horticulture report

“FMA says that while the release of the ACCC’s “Perspectives in horticulture and viticulture” shows some common ground, the wholesaling sector must once again clarify key areas regarding the report’s conclusions.”

Code compliance a two-way street

“The task of promoting compliance has been made very difficult because of the unworkable requirements of the Code,”

Growcom scare campaign calculated to ‘drive wedge between growers and Market wholesalers’

Fresh Markets Australia is outraged that false claims being made by rural lobby group Growcom appear deliberately calculated to drive a wedge between producers and Market wholesalers.

Don’t make horticulture industry reforms an election campaign ‘stunt’

“To state publicly that the Independent Review Panel has recommended to the Government that the Horticulture Code of Conduct be amended to include mandatory real-time pricing at Central Markets would be outright dishonesty,” Mr Young said.

FMA WELCOMES DECISION ON “EFFECTS TEST”

“The introduction of an effects test will deliver a pro-competitive marketplace and will even the playing field across the fresh produce supply chain.”

FMA WELCOMES HORTICULTURE CODE REVIEW REPORT

“There are a couple of recommendations that we are unlikely to support in their current form, but we acknowledge and welcome the review panel’s recommendation to the Federal Government for further consultation with industry as the proposed Code changes are developed.”

Mr Young said FMA would be an active and informed participant in further discussion and urged the Federal Government to maintain momentum on the Code review by immediately commencing the next phase of consultation.

FMA AMENDED CODE OF CONDUCT HOLDS THE ANSWER

“As part of our activity around the Code review, FMA has been meeting with federal and state politicians across Australia to table our amended Code and discuss the issues which we say must be addressed to ensure a more equitable structure for growers and traders.” 
“We have now also contacted grower organisations around the country to offer face-to-face briefings on our proposed Code to see if we can reach common ground on the desired outcomes.”
“FMA expects to meet with a range of grower organisations over the next few weeks as we await the tabling of the review panel’s report to the federal government, due in November.”

GROWCOM’S COMMENTS AND CONDUCT NEED TO BE QUESTIONED

“Growcom demonstrates a concerning lack of understanding of a market system that has operated for decades.”

FMA SEEKS A FAIR GO FOR WHOLESALERS

“FMA supports the review of the Code – it presents the opportunity to ensure that equitable, effective, commercially-viable terms of trade between wholesalers and growers can be properly codified…”
“It is critical for Australia’s horticulture industry that we get the Code of Conduct right.
“FMA has presented the review panel with an amended version of the current Code which will deliver a more relevant, realistic and equitable set of rules under which fruit and vegetable growers and wholesalers can operate.”

MINISTERS JOYCE AND BILLSON MUST GET HORTICULTURE REVIEW RIGHT

Australia’s fresh fruit & vegetable supply chain depends on it.

“Without properly functioning Central Markets, Australia’s fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain would collapse – so the Code review must deliver a balanced outcome for growers and wholesalers.”

“The Horticulture Code of Conduct is inflexible and anti-competitive and discriminates against the primarily small family businesses that operate as fruit and vegetable wholesalers across Australia.”

FRESH MARKETS AUSTRALIA WELCOMES HORTICULTURE CODE OF CONDUCT REVIEW

“Today’s announcement is a significant win for the Market wholesaling sector, who for years have had to operate under a mandatory code that was introduced without a proper prior assessment of whether it was justified, or its impact on the industry.”

“It is imperative that the Market wholesale sector is adequately and fairly represented in this review.”