Citrus Australia Chief Executive Officer Nathan Hancock recently praised the federal government’s decision to scrap the proposed Biosecurity Protection Levy, calling it a fair move and a win for farmers.
“Biosecurity remains a shared responsibility,” said Hancock. “It is an essential part of protecting Australia’s agricultural industry, economy, environment and communities, but Citrus Australia has long maintained the now-scrapped levy would have placed an undue cost on growers, who already invest heavily in on-farm biosecurity measures.”
According to Hancock, the government now must prioritize biosecurity funding through consolidated revenue, ensuring real protections for agriculture and beyond.
“Citrus Australia remains committed to working with the government on sustainable, long-term solutions which support Australian growers and safeguard our biosecurity future,” he said. “With the levy off the table, industry leaders are now urging the government to engage in meaningful discussions on a funding model that will ensure effective biosecurity measures without disproportionately impacting growers. By securing adequate and fair funding, Australia’s agricultural sector can continue to thrive while maintaining strong defenses against biosecurity threats.”
The Biosecurity Protection Levy was a proposed policy that would have required farmers to contribute $50 million annually toward national biosecurity measures. The aim was to create a sustainable funding model to protect agriculture from pests and diseases.
However, many in the agricultural sector, including Citrus Australia, opposed the levy, arguing it placed an unfair financial burden on growers while failing to address biosecurity threats posed by imports. The bill faced strong resistance and lacked necessary political support, leading to its withdrawal from parliament.
The government now intends to explore alternative funding mechanisms that ensure Australia’s biosecurity remains strong without unfairly targeting producers.
Citrus Australia previously addressed its opposition to the Biosecurity Protection Levy in 2023. Learn more about the issue here.
Source: Citrus Australia
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