Citrus Australia opposes excessive Government increases to export fees and charges

Citrus Australia opposes excessive Government increases to export fees and charges

29 October 2019

Citrus Australia has rejected the Federal Government’s proposal to raise fees for export certification by as much as 277 percent, a move that would cost the average grower $30,000 before they have exported a single carton.

On 11 October 2019, the Federal Department of Agriculture released its proposed fees and charges for export certification for the next four years.

Citrus Australia CEO Nathan Hancock said he was astonished at the size of the increases for a service in which the Government has a monopoly.

Price rises for growers include:

• a 277 percent rise in tonnage charge for protocol markets from $1.30 to $4.90 per tonne
• a 277 percent rise in tonnage charge for non-protocol markets from 65 cents to $2.45 per tonne
• a 44 percent rise for the annual Export Establishment registration fee from $6000 to $8655
• a 58 percent rise in hourly audit rate from $144 to $228 per hour

Mr Hancock said the proposed fee structure did not have support from Citrus Australia and has called for a detailed and transparent examination of the program costs.

“At a time when we are suffering the worst drought in living memory, the Government is increasing charges on our growers by exorbitant amounts,” Mr Hancock said.

“For the average grower that wants to export, the proposed costs will equate to around $30,000 per year before they have even exported a single carton. They will be then be charged more than $250 per container to export.

“The Federal Coalition claims that it wants to grow Australian agriculture and support its farmers during the drought, but these price rises show these claims lack all sincerity.

“Federal Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie has signed off on what can only be described as an incredibly poor piece of policy.”

Mr Hancock said the citrus industry does not disagree with cost recovery from Government. However, he said the Government needed to provide a detailed explanation of its program costs to enable a constructive engagement process.

“This is particularly important as the Department has a monopoly on export certification so there is no alternative provider for growers to compare.”

Mr Hancock said the Department of Agriculture had effectively ignored the advice of Citrus Australia and other representative bodies.

“In March 2018, we provided a detailed submission to Government outlining our concerns – but clearly the Department has disregarded everything we wrote,” he said.

“It also seems there has been no effort to engage directly with affected businesses or allow them to participate in the process.

“In that regard, the Department’s Consultative Committee has been less than consultative. It appears to be a mechanism for the Department to tell industry associations what they have already decided.

“We believe the Department has a responsibility to go out and talk to affected businesses and not expect industry associations to do their consultation for them.”

The draft Cost Recovery Implementation Statement can be found on the Department’s website at: https://haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/cost-recovery-implementation-statements.

Consultation is open until 10 December 2019. Citrus Australia is preparing a detailed response to Government but encourages all growers to provide a response.

For all media inquiries, please contact Stephen Cooke, Industry Engagement Manager, Citrus Australia, on 0427 124 437 or Stephen.cooke@citrusaustralia.com.au