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,

  ADF Tour: WAFarmers CEO Peter Nolin, Dairy Executive Officer Stephanie Tarlinton, ADF Policy Manager Irene Clarke, ADF Policy Officer Rachel Jones and WAFarmers Dairy Section President Phil Depiazzi. Last week the WAFarmers dairy council hosted Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) Senior Policy Manager Irene Clarke and Policy Officer Rachel Jones on a tour of the dairy regions in the south west. The tour commenced with meeting WAFarmers CEO Peter Nolin to discuss the issues ADF

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is urging primary producers and associated businesses to take advantage of assistance it’s offering to get their fuel tax credit (FTC) claims right. The ATO’s Pauline Zdjelar says “The online tools and information on our website helps them get their fuel tax credits claims right and avoid costly mistakes, such as claiming for fuel they use in light vehicles (4.5 tonne GVM or less) when they travel on public roads.

Members are reminded that applications for Farm Finance Concessional Loans for this financial year close on April 30. In a statement, Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce said the concessional loans support producers who are experiencing debt-servicing difficulties, but are considered financially viable in the longer term. “The $420 million Farm Finance concessional loans scheme allows eligible farm businesses to restructure existing debt or undertake productivity enhancement activities through access to low interest loans. It’s all about

The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Australia and Japan is the most liberalising bilateral trade agreement that Japan has ever concluded.  The agreement is said to deliver benefits to Australian farmers.  In the agreement the areas of bees, dairy and honey has been included.  Beef: The tariff on frozen beef will be cut to 19.5 per cent on full implementation. There will be significant front-end loading, with an eight percentage point cut in the first

It is estimated that the United Kingdom could have reduced their devastating 2001 outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease by 30-50% if they had implemented a national livestock standstill earlier. The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) is working with industry to enhance preparedness for a livestock standstill as part of a national program called Exercise Odysseus. Find out how a standstill would impact on your business by visiting the DAFWA website and: taking a

WAFarmers members are encouraged to take the opportunity to have their say on the management of WA’s freight rail network.  The Economics and Industry Standing Committee are calling for submissions before they report on whether the current lease arrangements and management of the Western Australian freight rail network comprising Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 lines facilitate or hamper state development.  In particular, the Committee will investigate:  the recent strategic directions and policy decisions