Working Together for a Fair and Transparent Biosecurity System
At Potatoes Australia Ltd, we are supporting and advocating for the strength and long-term sustainability of the Australian potato industry. Today, we are reaching out to raise an important issue that directly affects every potato grower across the country.
The Emergency Plant Pest Response (EPPR) levy on fresh potatoes was originally introduced to recover costs associated with the 2017 Tomato Potato Psyllid (TPP) incursion in Western Australia. The original obligation has been fulfilled and there is currently no active ongoing emergency pest response underway.
Despite this, the levy remains in place. While we acknowledge the importance of funding biosecurity responses, continuing to collect a levy without a current incursion, clear oversight, or a defined plan for the use of surplus funds has been raising significant concerns among growers and supply chain stakeholders.
Potatoes Australia Ltd believes that maintaining transparency, fairness, and trust in Australia’s biosecurity arrangements is essential. Continuing to collect this levy beyond the purpose and intention under which it was imposed, risks eroding that trust.
Adding to the complexity is the current impact of TPP in Victoria. TPP in Victoria is not classified as a new incursion and therefore it has not triggered an emergency response under the EPPRD. Yet the levy for the completed response in WA continues, without clarity on how these accumulating funds will be managed or allocated. This situation highlights the need for a thorough review of how such levies are governed, concluded, and how their use and finalisation is communicated to the potato growers.
We acknowledge that potato grower frustration with this issue has been compounded by the lack of formal industry consultation or transparency regarding the levy’s continuation. It is critical that future decisions affecting growers’ contributions are made with true potato industry input and accountability to potato levy payers.
The concerns about the ongoing imposition of the levy comes at a time when potato growers are facing significant economic pressure due to rising input costs and seasonal challenges. Every dollar matters, and it is vital that levies are only collected when they are necessary, justified, and governed appropriately.
In light of these concerns, Potatoes Australia Ltd have contacted Plant Health Australia (PHA) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) respectfully calling for:
- Immediate suspension of the EPPR levy on potatoes until such time as a new incursion justifies its reinstatement;
- A full review of EPPR levy governance, including clear wind-up procedures and improved industry consultation mechanisms;
- A detailed and transparent plan outlining how the surplus funds already collected will be managed, allocated, or returned to the industry;
- A broader discussion regarding representation and decision-making processes within the governance model to ensure it is inclusive and reflects the priorities and needs of whole potato industry.
As growers, you are at the heart of this industry. Your work underpins a sector worth over $1 billion at the farm gate and contributing to food security and regional economies. You deserve a system that recognises your contribution, operates with integrity, and listens to your concerns.
We are standing up and advocating for a more transparent, accountable, and fair approach to biosecurity levy arrangements. It is vital that future decisions are made in partnership with industry and reflect the best interests of growers across Australia.
Thank you for your continued commitment to Australian potato industry. We look forward to working together on this important issue.