Goat producers could be facing the biggest shakeup to their industry levy in almost 30 years, after an extensive round of national workshops delivered strong support for an increase.
The Goat Industry Council of Australia has spent recent months touring the country, briefing producers and other industry participants on a proposal to lift the levy and allow for increased investment, which it says is essential for the sector’s long-term growth.
Workshops were held in Tasmania, Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. Feedback from those meetings was presented at a webinar for stakeholders on Thursday, 20 August, alongside an update on the process.
Under the proposal, first outlined earlier this year by GICA President John Falkenhagen, the levy would rise from 37.7 cents per head to 90 cents per goat transaction, with increases proposed for all four service providers.
Meat and Livestock Australia’s marketing share would rise from 10.5 cents to 31.5 cents per head, while its research and development share would climb from 16.7 cents to 27 cents, matched by federal government funds. Animal Health Australia’s share would increase from 4.5 cents to 9 cents, and the National Residue Survey’s from 6 cents to 22.5 cents.
Mr Falkenhagen said the increase was essential to the industry’s future and in the best interests of everyone connected with goat production.
“Our levy has not changed since 1997, but the industry has changed a lot in those years,” he said.
“We need to invest more in our industry for future strength and growth, and increased investment would mean more money for research and development, marketing, biosecurity and animal health.”
Any proposal to government for a levy change requires significant sector engagement. Mr Falkenhagen said feedback from the workshops had been largely supportive and positive, with little disagreement on the need for an increase but healthy debate over exactly how it should be split between the four service providers.
He said he would have liked to have seen more producers attend the sessions, and urged everyone with a stake in the industry to have their say when the proposal goes to a vote, warning that a low turnout could see it fail.
Producers will get their chance to vote on the proposal at MLA’s Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, 24 November. Voting packs are on their way to producers, who can cast their vote in person, online or by proxy.
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