Three months of extensive industry consultation on the proposed South Australian Olive Industry Fund has confirmed widespread support for the fund.
The fund proposes that growers be asked to contribute up to $6 per tonne to fund projects that will be of benefit to the South Australian industry.
Lisa Rowntree, Olives SA President says the consultation process revealed widespread industry support for the establishment of the fund, including support from the majority of large olive growers, and processors.
“Not only was feedback positive, but it also identified the urgent need for industry projects that addresses supply chain failures in the industry,” she said.
“Many growers who are currently unable to access markets for small amounts of olive oil said they wanted an effective mechanism for selling oil.”
Growers representing 70% of South Australia’s total olive production was consulted with, including 93 growers and processors that attended one of eight regional meetings and 21 individual meetings.
“Thirteen written submissions were received on the proposal and many of these suggested improvements to the fund proposal, which we have taken into consideration, especially the suggestion of elevating the importance of marketing projects,” Ms Rowntree said.
Olives SA has now written to the Minister for Agriculture requesting the Government prepare draft Regulations that will establish the Olive Industry Fund under the Primary Industry Funding Schemes Act 1998.
The Olive Fund Proposal identifies three key focus areas to be funded:
1. Market development – export market development, branding, consumer education to lift domestic demand for Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), and to differentiate Australian product from imported oils.
2. Building supply chain relationships to establish an effective link between production and the market, establishing industry standards and managing risk, including the need for new marketing arrangements for the SA olive industry.
3. Increasing productivity, both on farm and for processing, improving efficiency and critical mass to lower the unit cost of production and make Australian EVOO more market competitive.
A full update report on the Olive Industry Fund Proposal will be provided at the Olives SA Annual General Meeting to be held on Tuesday 25 November 2008.
