AU growers have direct say in levy funds
It comes six months after a report a highly critical report into the old structure, which was owned by the peak industry groups, which also got funding to run projects.
John Lloyd, the chief executive officer of Horticulture Innovation, which has launched a new website, says funding is now available again for research projects.
But funding arrangements for the 43 peak industry bodies representing the growers has become more uncertain.
The Cherry Growers Association's Simon Boughey says they'll lose funds from those levies to spend on consulting with government. Mr Boughey says his Board has already begun looking to different sources for funds.
Jolyon Burnett chair of the nut industry council worries the whole review process may have been a waste of time, unless the role of Peak Industry Bodies are recognised as vital to developing research and passing information back.
New Era reduces lobbying capacity
The Agriculture Minister says it's a new era of grower ownership. The shift underlines the push to stop the flow of funding from government, through Horticulture Australia Limited to peak industry bodies, who might then use the funds to lobby governments.
Mr Joyce says the money will go to where it's needed, as the value of horticulture increases.
"In 2013-14, the Australian Government paid $42 million of the $82 million in total for eligible horticulture research and development delivered by the former industry services body, Horticulture Australia Limited. I expect this value to rise as the value of horticulture production also rises," he said.
"I am confident that this new model - recommended by an independent review by ACIL Allen - will deliver even greater transparency and accountability to levy payer owners and give them a real say in how their levy funds are invested as well as the outcomes they want to achieve for their industries.
Source: abc.net.au