Executive Officer’s Report

contacts

Horticulture House 103 Outram Street, WEST PERTH WA 6005 p: (08) 9481 0834 e: admin@wapotatoes.com.au w: todatoes.com.au Simon Moltoni, Chief Executive Officer m: 0447 141 752 e: simon@wapotatoes.com.au Morena Perdec, Finance & Admin Manager e: morena@wapotatoes.com.au Georgia Thomas, Project Manager e: georgia@wapotatoes.com.au

Committee 2019–20

Vaughan Carter Busselton Chairperson Colin Ayres Albany Deputy Chairperson Glen Ryan Pemberton Secretary Gary Bendotti Pemberton Treasurer Patrick Fox Scott River Bronwyn Fox Dandaragan Christian deHaan Manjimup m: 0417 092 505

m: 0428 451 014

m: 0428 827 126

m: 0427 569 903

m: 0499 887 202 m: 0427 447 412 m: 0429 436 361

Elected Members

Representing the Ware Fresh sector: Vaughan Carter, Christian de Haan, Glen Ryan and Bronwyn Fox Representing the Seed sector: Colin Aryes Representing the Export sector: Patrick Fox Representing the Processing sector: Gary Bendotti

Fee-for-service charge 2020–21

Processing potatoes — local and export $6.00/t Seed potatoes — local and export $150/ha Ware (fresh) potatoes — local $8.00/t Ware (fresh) potatoes — export $6.00/t Ware (fresh) potatoes — marketing $2.50/t

Projects approved 2020–21

Part funding for PGA $310,500 Delivery of Registered Seed Potato $96,000 Certification Schemes & Virus Testing Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid (PSTVd) surveillance of the Seed Scheme Part Funding for Export Development Project $100,000 Smart Spud System $16,000

WA Potatoes Executive Officer’s Report

SIMON MOLTONI EXECUTIVE OFFICER, POTATO GROWERS ASSOCIATION

After a lifetime in the potato and vegetable industries Sam Calameri has retired.

Sam built a reputation as a consistent supplier of top quality produce through a strong work ethic and always striving for improvement. Sam is well known as an innovator and early adopter of new technology. Sam’s nephew, Charlie Balogna Jr, will continue farming on Baldivis Farms under the Milana Farms banner. COVID19 continues as a major concern for our industry. The local French fry processing industry seems to have recovered quickly once the lockdown finished and (near) normal business resumed. The threat of cheap imports remains a factor as the rest of the world struggles with reduced economic activity. Labour supply is currently the major concern for all horticulture business. State and Federal Governments have announced programs (check your inbox) to help address the situation. Industry groups are not convinced that these programs go far enough. AUSVEG, as our peak industry body, has put together a 10-point plan which will be presented to the Federal Minister for Agriculture by the NFF Horticulture Council: 1. Seasonal Worker program pilot extension. 2. Incentives for domestic displaced workers. 3. Agriculture Workforce Code introduction. 4. Promotion of opportunities to work in agriculture. 5. Accommodation support. 6. Development of a National

Agriculture Workforce Development

Network. 7. National Labour Hire Licensing/

Registration scheme. 8. Working Holidaymaker restart. 9. Agriculture visa/Harvestworker visa. 10. Horticulture Industry Labour

Agreement (HILA) additional occupations. If approved, these measures will provide short term relief and longer-term security for labour in our industry. Winter production is still below demand and imports are making up the shortfall. Crops planted late enough to miss the early winter storms will soon reach maturity and supply should resume as normal.

Planting has started in Manjimup/ Pemberton so southern summer supply should start on time. Steady winter rainfall has seen dams reach capacity giving growers confidence that water is secure for the coming season. AUSFarm Connect continues its development under the guidance of the PGA. A recent round of regional meetings gave growers the opportunity to ask questions and hear firsthand where the project is at. Meetings were very well attended especially by younger growers. The learnings gained by AFC from the discussions with growers has been highly valued and will help shape the organisation going forward. We are reaching a critical phase and growers will be kept up to date with developments as they occur. Thank you to Morena and Georgia and good luck to all our growers.

MORE INFORMATION Contact Simon Moltoni on 0447 141 752 or email simon@wapotatoes.com.au