4 minute read
Gather as a harvest
Greg Shannon
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Grower Meetings
AS mentioned before Easter, next week we will kick off our pre-season meetings starting the day after Anzac Day, on Tuesday, April 26.
These meetings are a chance for TSL and TCPSL to present the following: a) Tully’s new variety guide – Greg Shannon b) TCPSL update – Peter Sutherland c) Tully Sugar update – John Edwards
The Tully new variety guide and associated information will include the latest trial data on new varieties conducted through the Tully Variety Management group plus a brief update on progress with the mobile mill so far this year.
The times and locations are as follows:
Tuesday, April 26, 8 am Danny Pantovic’s shed Granadilla Road
Tuesday, April 26, 1 pm Syndicate – TSL home farm Jarra Creek Road shed
Wednesday, April 27, 1 pm – Lower Tully – Crema is shed on Collins Road
Thursday, April 28, 8 am Murray - Murray Rural Fire brigade shed
Friday, April 29, 8 am Brice and Richard Henry’s shed on Davidson Road.
Pre-season grower meeting in previous years.
All are welcome
The Tully new variety guide will also be made available on the TSL website after these meetings.
In addition, the week after, on May 5, SRA will hold a field day on the Tully site where TSL and the TVMG will be contributing by having the mobile mill set up as part of a “crop maturity site” during the day.
SRA have sent out information on this event already, so there are a couple of good events coming up that hopefully will assist Tully growers leading into planting and harvesting season 2022.
Spanish mackerel consultation is invitation only
KATTER’S Australian Party (KAP) Deputy Leader and Hinchinbrook MP, Nick Dametto, is infuriated after hearing that Fisheries Queensland will hold an ‘invitation only’ consultation meeting between the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) and selected fishers in Townsville today regarding the Spanish mackerel fishery.
Information circulating from the Queensland Seafood Industry Association is that only selected fishers were invited to a meeting with Fisheries Queensland to discuss the proposed management changes to the Spanish mackerel fishery.[1]
The meeting is scheduled for 21 April 2022 between 1.00pm and 2.00pm in Townsville.
The Hinchinbrook MP said it is extremely disappointing that DAF has not made this a more open and transparent process between commercial and recreational fishers that would be negatively impacted by the proposed Spanish mackerel quota reductions.
“We have commercial fishers who are contemplating the future of their business and fish and chip retailers that have already lost their Spanish mackerel suppliers due to the proposed quota reductions. And of course, everyday consumers of Spanish mackerel who will be impacted by the price increase.
“All these stakeholders must be consulted and have an opportunity to speak directly with the Department in a public forum.
“Consultation is an opportunity to attain feedback from the public and it should be open to all affected individuals, not those who are exclusively selected by the Department.
“The Department has only rubbed salt in the wound by not allowing all stakeholders to have their voices heard on such an important issue.
“Whether we are talking about mismanagement of the Queensland Spanish mackerel industry or skewed numbers to close the industry, there has been a lack of transparency that has occurred.
“It appears that the Department is trying to control and whitewash the discussion and debate around the issue, which demonstrates a lack of integrity.”
Mr Dametto said he had little faith in the Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries.
“The Minister should be facing the music and talking directly to those who will be affected by the proposed quota reduction. And if he isn’t, he should at least have the decency to ensure his Departmental henchmen are conducting consultation that passes the pub test.
The KAP is calling on the Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, the Hon. Mark Furner to ensure that DAF holds a public consultation meeting where all stakeholders have the opportunity to have their voices heard and questions answered.
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