By Andy Young

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released a report regarding competition and fair trading issues facing the horticulture and viticulture industries.

The report has highlighted a number of areas of concern, particularly regarding the Horticulture Code of Conduct. The ACCC had a series of workshops in Shepparton, Toowoomba, Bunbury, Griffith, Murray Bridge and Devonport, which were led by Deputy Chair Michael Schaper and Commissioner Mick Keogh, in order to speak with the horticulture and viticulture industries.

The key issues raised by stakeholders in those workshops included:

• The ineffectiveness of the current Horticulture Code of Conduct
• Concerns about late and non-payment of growers by wholesalers
• A fear of raising complaints due to concerns about retribution
• Uncertainty in contracting practices across both industries

“The report, which follows a series of workshops held around regional Australia, reflects the views of growers and the broader industries. Despite the diversity of markets in horticulture and viticulture, there were a number of common concerns,” Commissioner Keogh said.

Deputy Chair Schaper added: “It is clear that the Horticulture Code is not achieving its aims and we believe that significant changes to the Code are required.

Read more here.

This story first appeared in The Shout.