November 2016

WAFarmers and the wider agricultural sector continue to be left in limbo by Parliament on the backpacker tax issue, following the defeat of the Coalition’s plan for a 15 per cent tax rate in the Senate this morning. Labor’s amendment to the Bills to drop the tax rate to 10.5 per cent were supported by the Greens and crossbenchers including Derryn Hinch, David Leyonhjelm and Jacqui Lambie, sending the Bills back to the House of

The WA dairy industry has a very bright future, if enthusiasm shown by a group of young WA dairy farmers is anything to go by. With sponsorship from the WAFarmers Dairy Industry Fund, the group departed Perth on Sunday afternoon for a 10-day trip to New Zealand as part of Dairy Australia’s Young Dairy Network. The group, supported by the WAFarmers Dairy Industry Fund, DeLaval, PGG Wrightson Seeds, Elders and Harvey Fresh, will visit farms,

WAFarmers and the wider agricultural sector have welcomed the announcement by Treasurer Scott Morrison that the Coalition has agreed to a compromise of 15 per cent on the backpacker tax. The decision comes off the back of extensive campaigning from industry and the tourism and hospitality sectors, particularly in recent weeks when the issue was in a stalemate. WAFarmers Chief Executive Officer Stephen Brown said the organisation was pleased for industry that a fair compromise

The agricultural industry, together with hospitality and tourism, remain on tenterhooks following the rejection of the Coalition’s backpacker tax proposal by the Senate earlier today and their endorsement of a lower 10.5 per cent tax rate. With only one sitting week remaining for the year in which a fair and reasonable tax rate could be negotiated, WAFarmers Chief Executive Officer Stephen Brown urged all parties to come together and make a decision that would keep

The first annual Agriculture Ambassador Scholarship for students at the state’s five agricultural colleges have all been awarded, and WAFarmers congratulates each student. The annual scholarships, which opened to Year 11 students at colleges in June, recognise agricultural college students with a strong interest in the industry, and support their growth and development within their chosen agricultural field. For the WA Colleges of Agriculture in Harvey and Denmark, their scholarships are tied specifically to the

As part of their reconsideration of the approvals, registrations and product labels associated with the insecticide dimethoate, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) are now calling for comments on the recently-released dimethoate proposed regulatory decisions report. WAFarmers Grains Section welcomed the APVMA’s decision to maintain registration on cereals and legumes, but was concerned about proposed early season only restrictions on oilseeds and pastures. “Dimethoate is a good product for mid to late season

WAFarmers has worked closely with Main Roads WA over the last few months to try and reduce issues faced with first mile and last mile access in the agricultural sector, the issue having been identified by our members as a concern. Having recognised it as an issue of importance, changes have been made to the Harvest Mass Management System (HMMS) for this year’s harvest, with the inclusion of a $25 permit that will facilitate greater

The State Government’s investment towards implementing the WA Wild Dog Action Plan 2016-2021 has been applauded by WAFarmers and the state’s livestock and pastoral industries. Minister for Agriculture and Food Mark Lewis today announced that $19.94 million would support key recommendations from the WA Wild Dog Action Plan, and would recognise the importance of coordinating efforts from industry, government and the community to control wild dogs. WAFarmers Livestock Council President John Wallace said the approval

The decision of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) to issue a permit for the use of glyphosate on feed barley has been welcomed by WAFarmers. Yesterday the APVMA approved the late season, pre-harvest glyphosate application, which is effective immediately. WAFarmers Grains Section President Duncan Young said it was a sensible decision that would ensure growers have the appropriate regulations to support on-farm activities.   “We congratulate Grain Producers Australia for their lead