South Australia’s olive producers will begin contributing $4 per tonne this harvest as part of a voluntary fund that will assist the development of industry.
Agriculture Food and Fisheries Minister, Rory McEwen, says the state-wide olive industry levy will support projects in marketing, branding, promotion, production and bio-security activities.
“The introduction of this levy is a significant milestone for our olive industry,” Mr McEwen said.
“It will enable our producers to take charge and invest in their future and move forward in strengthening their position in the world market.”
Processors will begin collecting contributions this harvest by adding it to the processing fee. All olive growers who process olive fruit into oil, table olives or other olive product will be required to contribute.
The contribution for 2009 will be $4 dollars per tonne or a minimum of $1 per 250 kg. Over the next three years, the contribution will rise by $1 per tonne each year to a maximum of $6 per tonne.
Olives SA will coordinate all projects funded by the levy for olive growers.
Olives SA President, Lisa Rowntree said the introduction of the levy signalled an exciting new beginning for the industry.
“This will give us the chance to work on the issues that are important to growers, as well as promote ourselves to the world and position ourselves as a strong competitor,” she said.
Established under the Primary Industry Funding Schemes Act 1998, the Olive Industry Fund will be collected by PIRSA and managed by Olives SA.
For more information on the administration of the Regulations go to http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/olives or phone PIRSA on 8389 8812.
For more information on the projects the levy will support, go to http://www.olivessouthaustralia.com.au or contact Richard Whiting from Olives SA on 0417 887 402.
Further information: Peter Willmott, PIRSA, 0422 002 727 or Lisa Rowntree, Olives SA, 0407 736 070.
