April 2014

WAFarmers is cautioning the Federal government against making cuts to the current off-road fuel rebate farmers can claim through the Fuel Tax Credit Scheme. Should speculation of such cuts be true, the Federal government would be defying its commitment to industry’s profitability and competitiveness, WAFarmers President Dale Park said. “Prior to last year’s election, WAFarmers called for the off-road fuel rebate to be retained in the interests of keeping farming businesses viable in the face

The NSW Department of Primary Industries has a new range of online courses available. The courses have national application and provide professional development opportunities for agribusiness professionals and growers. Of particular interest to WAFarmers members is the Salinity Concepts course, which has been adapted for the regions of Avon, South West and South Coast in collaboration with DAFWA. Course Overview:  EverTrain is a new NSWDPI e-learning platform with online courses based on the latest research and

The Kalbarri National Park draft management plan is now open for public comment. The plan covers Kalbarri National Park (183, 004 hectares), and considers close to 240,000 hectares of adjacent lands for addition to the conservation reserve system. These areas are collectively referred to as the planning area. The planning area is located adjacent to the town of Kalbarri and is within the local government areas of the Shire of Northampton and the Shire of

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) has advised that they received a total of 108 submissions from producers, industry bodies and state government last year on the consultation regulation impact statement (RIS) for improving the sheep NLIS. WAFarmers is one of the organisations which made a submission. All submission received, other than those noted as confidential, are able to viewed online. ABARES is using these submissions to refine the analysis

The Department of Agriculture and Food WA has released the latest WA livestock disease outlook, providing a brief overview of recent significant cases investigated by Animal Health Laboratories (AHL). The latest edition can be downloaded here.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released an Issues Paper in relation to the CBH Group’s proposed 2014 Port Terminal Services Access Undertaking (Proposed Undertaking). CBH’s current undertaking, accepted by the ACCC in 2011, is due to expire on 30 September 2014. The key difference between the Proposed Undertaking and the 2011 Undertaking is the proposed introduction of Long Term Agreements through which exporters can book port terminal capacity for three years, in

The grains industry has commissioned an independent review to seek to ensure GRDC has a structure that will deliver robust, accountable and commercial research development and extension (R, D and E) outcomes to levy payers for years to come.  The review is being undertaken by independent consultant Marsden Jacob Associates with particular examination of: the strengths and weaknesses of other RDC structures and other non RDC organisations whether potential changes to the PIERD and CAC

WAFarmers Dairy Council is very pleased with the ACCC findings stating the ‘Our Coles Brand Milk Story’ video and cartoon are likely to have contravened Section 18 of the Australian Competition Law which prohibits misleading or deceptive conduct. The Dairy Council was disappointed with Coles’ action to mislead consumers with opinion and estimates which they stated as fact but were unable to be substantiated.    The Council has held numerous meetings with Coles’ senior management,