May 7, 2014

WAFarmers is being asked by its peak body to provide comment on the draft Best Management Practice for the Transportation of Open Entrance Beehives.  This has become necessary because of problems caused by beekeepers leaving bees behind when fuelling up, leaving bees behind at road works and the possibly that shifting beehives with open entrances could be classed as carrying dangerous goods.  The document can be seen here. Comments are to be forwarded to Bees

WAFarmers has made a submission on the Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) genetic benchmarking consultation paper.  It is good to see that AWI is consulting with industry for increased breeder responsibility and full commercialisation of its key genetic benchmarking investments.  There have been 43 responses provided to the consultation document which can be found on the following website, including one from WAFarmers: http://www.wool.com/en/landing-pages/genetic-benchmarking-consultation

Community forums will be held around the State during May, June and July to discuss pastoral lease options and seek feedback leading up to next year’s lease renewals.   This week, pastoralists should receive draft pastoral lease options in the mail from the State government.   Forums will be held at the following locations:   Kalgoorlie – Overland Motel, Tuesday, May 13 Marble Bar – Marble Bar Civic Centre, Thursday, May 22 Carnarvon – The

The WAFarmers Dairy Council has welcomed news of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) instituting proceedings in the Federal Court against Coles Supermarkets Australia for allegedly engaging in unconscionable conduct toward 200 small suppliers. Dairy Section President Phil Depiazzi said it was important that supermarket chains be held to account for their interactions with suppliers. “As we have repeatedly said, Coles’ $1 per litre milk campaign has resulted in low farmgate prices for dairy