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Changes to Citrus Growers Fund

6 April 2009

The State Government will begin consultation this week on proposed changes to the South Australian Citrus Growers Fund.

Established under the Primary Industry Funding Schemes (Citrus Growers Fund) Regulations 2005, the fund supports Citrus Growers SA to deliver projects that benefit the citrus industry.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Paul Caica, is encouraging growers to have their say over the four-week consultation, due to conclude on Thursday April 30.

"The proposed amendments include reducing the grower contribution to the SA fund as a result of changes in the national citrus industry," he says.

"The need to reduce the contribution results from the winding up of Australian Citrus Growers (ACG) organisation late last year, and its replacement by a new national citrus body, Citrus Growers Limited," he says.

"Citrus Growers SA had a longstanding agreement with the previous national body to provide services to growers.

'However, this arrangement ceased when ACG wound up, and its replacement, Citrus Growers Limited, will instead be seeking membership fees directly from growers, rather than through State Funds.

"What we are proposing is to change the regulations to ensure growers are contributing amounts that are fair and equitable."

It's proposed that the contribution from South Australian growers be reduced from $1.15 down to 65 cents per tonne.

Minister Caica says the Government is also proposing that growers be able to seek a refund for the 50c per tonne component collected since the ACG ceased operating on October 31.

"The remaining funds will then be used to support a 'special project' that will be agreed upon by both Citrus Growers of SA and the SA Citrus Industry Development Board."

For more information on the proposed changes, visit www.pir.sa.gov.au/horticulture or call PIRSA Horticulture on (08) 8389 8812.