News

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) has advised that the Emergency Plant Pest Response (EPPR) levy introduced in 2018 to cover the macadamia industry’s share of the eradication program for Varroa mite will remain in place until October 2019.

Levy receipts to date have covered the total that had been underwritten by the Australian Government. However, there are still response costs that have not been charged for 2017-18 and possibly 2018-19 responses as well. The Australian Macadamia Society (AMS) is advised that funds collected to October 2019 will be more than sufficient to cover these.

We are also advised by DAWR that it is impossible to deactivate the levy before the 2019 macadamia season starts in late February. The process takes 4-6 months and this year that timeframe would also be affected by the anticipated federal election. The AMS has indicated that it would not be equitable for the levy to be reset to nil in the middle of the season, so it appears the next two available implementation dates would be 1 Oct 2019 or 1 Jan 2020. The AMS has asked that DAWR aim for 1 Oct 2019, so that 1 Jan 2020 can provide a backup in the case of any unforeseen delays.

This means that the macadamia industry will likely build a reserve of EPPR funds held by Plant Health Australia (PHA) that can be utilised for future emergency pest incursion responses.

More information

Contact AMS CEO Jolyon Burnett on 1800 262 426 or email: [email protected] if you would like to know more or have any questions.