Confidence in panel to ‘test and probe’ value of levy

The dairy service levy review is in good hands, writes committee chairman Ron Storey.

Dairy farmers, with small to large herd sizes across regions and states, make up the levy poll advisory committee. Picture: Zoe Phillips

THE Levy Poll Advisory Committee held its first meeting recently to commence our review of the dairy service levy, which happens every five years.

Dairy farmers from different regions are well represented and I am confident we have a competent, committed committee who will test and probe the value of the levy.

Our first step is to understand how the levy is used now, and then to ensure the levy is pitched at the right level to provide the services that will advance dairy farm businesses and the industry into the future.

LPAC needs to decide: does the levy need to increase, decrease or stay the same? If it is determined change is required, then LPAC will recommend a poll be held of all dairy farmers. We expect to reach a decision in June.

An independent panel was used to select LPAC committee members to represent dairy farmer levy payers.

This proved to be a tough task as there was a wealth of experience and expertise across the farmer participants.

We have a diverse group, with 12 of the 15-person committee being dairy farmers (and from my observation, there are no shrinking violets!).

They come from small to large herd sizes, across regions and states, farming systems and dairying experience.

I see this mix as important because notwithstanding the trend to fewer, larger farms (a feature common across most agricultural sectors), according to Dairy Australia around 45 per cent of farms still produce 80 per cent of the milk.

LPAC will be receiving formal submissions from both Australian Dairy Farmers and Dairy Australia, but we also welcome submissions from the wider dairy levy paying community.

This will be facilitated via levy review website dairylevyreview.com.au — details to be posted shortly.

LPAC members will also be consulting with their local dairy networks and we will provide updates along the way as our work progresses.

LPAC’s decision needs to support the long-term research, development and extension required to deliver a strong and profitable dairy industry.

I look forward to working with LPAC and the dairy industry to do that job.

● Ron Storey is the Levy Poll Advisory Committee independent chairman

MORE

CLAWBACK LESSONS ENSURE A STRONGER FOOTING FOR DAIRY FUTURE

WHAT DAIRY IS BEING URGED TO DO AFTER DITCHING WHOLE-OF-INDUSTRY BODY PLAN

‘FAIR GO’ MILK-LABELLING SCHEME CHALLEBGED BY AUSTRALIAN DAIRY PRODUCTS FEDERATION