Vegetable FFS rates and activities

Agriculture Produce Commission

Vegetable FFS rates and activities

BY KAREN RAYBOULD OPERATIONS MANAGER, VEGETABLESWA

On the 1st July 2019, after consultation with growers and retailers, the APC-VPC implemented changes, approved by the APC Commissioners and Agriculture Minister, to the rates and categories of the Vegetable Fee for Service (see Table 1).

What is the APC Vegetable FFS and how is it paid?

The Agricultural Produce Commission1 (APC) Vegetable Fee for Service2 (FFS) is the charge paid by Western Australian growers, at the first point of sale, on vegetables grown in WA. Vegetables excludes those grown in Kununurra and mushrooms but includes tomatoes and all melons. The FFS charge is paid on a ‘per kilo’ basis. Where it is difficult to identify the actual weight a ‘deemed’ weight is used. The deemed weight is based

on the Perth Market deemed weights for vegetables. The APC Vegetable producers’ committees work to improve and promote the long-term sustainability and profitability of WA vegetable growers. The FFS is used to fund actions undertaken by the Committee on behalf Fines can be imposed for non-payment of the FFScharge. of vegetable growers. Some examples of what is funded by the FFS include: • Vietnamese field extension officer, part funded • vegetablesWA activities, such as biosecurity representation and response, representation on labour issues and water issues

TABLE 1. FEE FOR SERVICE RATES AND CATEGORIES 2019–20.

Category A Category B Category C Category D Category E Category F Category G Category H $ rate/kg

• Bamboo shoots • Beans: broad • Beans: fava • Beans: other • Beans: runner • Beanshoots • Bok choy • Capsicums • Chillies • Choysum • Daikon: radish top • Eggfruit • Fennel • Horseradish • Luffa • Pak choy • Paprika • Beetroot • Gourds • Melons: watermelon • Parsnips • Pumpkin: butternut • Pumpkin:

Japanese • Pumpkin:

Kent • Pumpkin: other • Pumpkin:

Queensland blue • Swedes • Sweet potatoes • Turnips • Brussels sprouts • Cabbage • Cauliflower • Cauliflower: fancy • Cauliflower:

Romensco • Onions • Radish • Rhubarb • Radicchio • Artichokes • Asparagus • Babyleaf: all varieties • Chicory • Endive • Kale • Kohl rabi • Leafy greens • Lettuce • Lettuce: mixed salad • Micro greens • Okra • Rocket • Spinach:

English • Taro • Watercress • Choko • Courgettes • Cucumber • Cucumber:

Lebanese • Marrow • Melons: honeydew • Melons: rockmelon • Melons: other • Broccoli • Broccolini • Celeriac • Celery • Chard • Garlic • Leeks • Shallots • Spring onions • Squash • Squash: spaghetti • Sweet corn • Whitlof:

Chinese cabbage • Zucchini • Carrots • Other vegetables

• Quality assurance • Building horticulture business capability, part funded • Business extension, human resources and industrial relations.

What does this mean for you as a grower?

• You must pay the current FFS charge on any relevant vegetable produce grown in WA. • Even if the produce is not sold in WA, but is sent out of the State, (national or international) the FFS must still be paid. • The FFS is generally paid at the first point of sale, on a monthly basis.

Where does your fee for service go?

FEE FOR SERVICE

Paid at the first point of sale of fresh produce. Paid to the Agricultural Produce Commission (APC) by your market agent, retailer or you can choose to remit as the grower.

How the FFS is paid

If you sell to a WA market agent, supermarket, wholesaler or other dealer: • The WA market agent, supermarket, wholesaler or other dealer must send the payment to the APC. • They then deduct the amount of the

FFS charge from any payment, which is made to you. • The FFS must be paid to the APC not later than 14 days after the end of the month when the produce was traded. • The dealer/market agent/wholesaler must advise the producer of any amount deducted and paid in

FFS within 28 days of making the deduction. If you sell directly (for example — via roadside stalls or export): • You must pay the FFS to the APC yourself. • The form has instructions on how to complete the form, what the current rates are and where to send the payment to. It also has contact numbers/email if you have any questions. • The FFS must be paid to the APC not later than 14 days after the end of the month when the produce was traded.

VEGETABLESWA Supports and advocates for WA vegetable growers in the field and in Parliament. Provides educational resources and business tools.

THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE COMMISSION Supports agricultural producers to establish Producers’ Committees to enable the provision of services to producers.

BIOSECURITY FUND Fund set aside for use in the case of an incursion and utilised if needed.

• This is done by completing an APC

FFS Return Form. This can be downloaded from https://apcwa.org. au/publications/ffs-rates-return or contact the APC and a form can be sent to you.

MORE INFORMATION

If you want to discuss services currently provided, please contact the committee Executive Officer,

manus.stockdale@vegetableswa.com.au

or the committee chair, Peter Ivankovich (ivafarms@bigpond.com). If you have queries on understanding the vegetable FFS rate or the payment of your FFS, or would like a copy of this information in a fact sheet please contact the APC (apcmanager@dpird.wa.gov.au or apcadmin@dpird.wa.gov.au — (08) 9368 3465 or (08) 9368 3734).