Biosecurity is of critical importance to the grains industry and Australian agriculture more broadly. GrainGrowers supports the concept of shared responsibility for biosecurity, and that industry, community and government all have their role to play in supporting better biosecurity outcomes for Australia.
Australian grain growers make significant financial contributions to biosecurity, through investment in research and development, support for Plant Health Australia, contributions to emergency plant pest responses, as taxpayers and in the everyday operations of their farm enterprises. This commitment and contribution to biosecurity by growers cannot be understated and needs to be clearly recognised by Government and reflected in its communications and deliberations.
The full submission explores:
- The need to secure and maintain sustainable funding. The 2023-24 budget commitment to long term sustainable funding for Australia’s biosecurity system must be upheld.
- Confirmation of a risk creator or ‘container’ levy. Priority must be given to a clear resolution on the proposal to implement a container levy.
- A shared culture of biosecurity. As a beneficiary of biosecurity, it is important that agricultural industries participate in setting and monitoring performance.
- Accountability on biosecurity activities. Greater transparency around biosecurity spending is required, along with better performance monitoring.
- Concerns relating to the proposed biosecurity protection levy. The principles behind the establishment of the Biosecurity Protection Levy are unclear raising significant concerns around how the levy would be applied and operate.
- Equitability of proposed levy charges. It is important that there is equitability in the way industries are charged as beneficiaries of biosecurity, and the way individual industry members may access thresholds and exceptions.
- Uncertainty regarding the proposed levy rate for the grains industries. GrainGrowers is seeking confirmation on the value of the levy charge to be applied to grain crops.
- Compliance costs and considerations. Transparency is required around the effectiveness of current levy collection arrangements and the cost of implementing the measure.
- Distortionary impacts. In its current form the proposed levy undermines confidence in the voluntary industry levy system, and it has the potential to cause unintended consequences.
- The need for open consultation. An increased focus on engaging with industry in a meaningful and timely manner is required as the proposal is further developed and moves towards implementation.
