The peak body for the Australian melon industry has begun a new push for a grower levy to secure crops against further outbreaks. “The incursion of CGMMV has been a big wake-up call for melon growers in Australia,” said Jon Caleo, Executive Member of the Australian Melon Association (AMA), and a melon producer from Charters Towers. “The CGMMV virus, transported through seed, was found on my property in Queensland and I can’t tell you how difficult it’s been for us all.” The deadly Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus remains a threat to the nation’s growers, while NSW and Victoria also face a threat from Melon Necrotic Spot Virus.
On-farm assistance is dependent upon the industry being signed up to the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed, according to Mr Caleo. “ I had no say in how the State Governments dealt with me, because we’re not signatories to the agreement,” he said. “I think the virus has raised awareness of issues the industry would face in the future, but there are still some growers who do not believe there should be a levy on the melon industry. Growers need to have a say, otherwise it’s all left to the Governments.”
The most resistance has come from a couple of larger growers, according to Mr Caleo, who are in the industry long term. “Apart from them many growers get in and out of the industry quickly, and want to keep every cent that they can from growing such a speculative crop as watermelons.”
A proposed 0.5c/kg levy on all produce sold would make the industry far better prepared to handle any future exotic outbreaks, and would not significantly impact on any grower’s profits, Mr Caleo said. The Northern Territory experience highlighted the need for growers to be signed up to the EPPRD, he added, but growers cannot become signatories unless there is a levy in place. “We just won’t get the money from HIA [Horticulture Innovations Australia] and without having a say we can’t fight for other growers.”
The proposal was first discussed around 10 months ago, shortly after the outbreak occurred in the Northern Territory. There have been two unsuccessful proposals for levies on the industry in the past, Mr Caleo said.
Emergency Response levy to start at zero
An Emergency Plant Pest Response levy will be set at zero, only becoming positive in the future if the industry has to cost share an agreed emergency response. This zero rated levy allows the industry to sign the EPPRD and be involved from the start for any future incursions.
The second part of the levy is 0.2c/kg for a plant biosecurity levy to fund surveillance for exotic pests and on-farm biosecurity measures.
The third component is an R&D levy of 0.3c/kg to conduct critical industry research to improve the productivity and profitability of the melon industry into the future. The AMA says this is particularly needed since the change from HAL to the new grower owned organisation Horticulture Innovation Australia (HIA), caused a shake-up for R&D for plant industries around the country.
The melon industry is one of the last to establish any statutory levies and, according to Mr Caleo, it will be a good investment. “In the past we have relied on voluntary contributions from the committed few, but this levy system will mean that everyone will contribute to the betterment of our industry.”
The Australia Melon Association is coordinating the levy project. Grower information sessions will be conducted in September, information will be on the industry website and information packs sent to registered growers. Voting on the proposed levies will begin in October.
For more information:
Visit the AMA website: www.melonsaustralia.org.au
Media Contact Dianne Fullelove
Phone: +61733740453
John Caleo, AMA Deputy Chair and grower
E-mail: j.caleo@bigpond.com