April 24, 2015

Coles has announced that it will allocate $50 million over five years in grants and interest-free loans to farmers who are keen to improve on-farm efficiency and develop new products.  The Coles Nurture Fund will be open to small and medium sized farm businesses, food producers and manufacturers. The grants and loans are available to help small entrepreneurs and innovative businesses to deliver better products to customers and improve how they get that product to

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) are reviewing chemicals and require feedback. The chemicals are listed below: Acephate Levamisole Aluminium phosphide (phosphine) Methomyl Amitrole Permethrin Carbofuran Phorate Chlorothalanil Picloram Cyanazine/simazine Propargite Dicofol Second generation anticoagulant rodenticides Dithiocarbamates (including mancozeb, metiram, propineb, thiram, zineb and ziram) Triazole fungicides (including propiconazole) Fenbutatin oxide Trichlorfon Hexazinone Please provide information on the following: The importance of any of these chemicals to you, including the availability of alternatives.

Recent media coverage of a Government crackdown on illegal workers has prompted WAFarmers to remind members it is imperative that their employees have valid and appropriate visas. It is a timely reminder for farmers whose seasonal workforce is often made up of visitors on working holidays from overseas.  The Australian Deputy Immigration Minister has stated that resources are now being re-directed to the 60,000 individuals that have overstayed their original visa. If an employee is