The poll is an opportunity for dairy farmers to determine the level of investment in the industry’s future.
The four voting options, determined by the independent Levy Poll Advisory Committee, are:
- no change;
- a 15 per cent increase;
- 20 per cent increase (this is the option recommended by LPAC); or
- 25 per cent.
Rick Gladigau, president of advocacy group Australian Dairy Farmers, urged all levy payers to vote.
“This is the first time in a decade that dairy farmers have had a say about how much dairy services levy they pay — a levy that funds Dairy Australia's programs, including research and innovation,” he said.
Mr Gladigau said the ADF board agreed the four areas identified as the focus for future levy investment — labour, policy development, regional services and climate change —were relevant.
“While the ADF board acknowledges the work carried out by LPAC ... we believe that now is not the time to increase the producer contribution to Dairy Australia,” he said.
“Although dairy farmers are experiencing improved trading conditions, there are continued pressures including rising input costs.”
Mr Gladigau said since 2019, the ADF had been calling on processors to contribute to the post-farm gate work done by Dairy Australia, with the most appropriate and fairest mechanism being a statutory levy.
“Processors must provide significant and proportionate funding to those projects that benefit the whole supply chain,” he said.
The Australian Dairy Products Federation represents processors and other post-farm gate groups.
ADPF president Grant Crothers said it was “perplexing” that ADF would urge its members to vote against increased funding for the farmer-led Dairy Australia.
“Quoting that processors do not contribute to Dairy Australia as a reason for no increase is void of logic and ignores the core purpose of Dairy Australia, being to improve the profitability and sustainability of dairy farming,” he said.
Mr Crothers said ADPF was working with its members to establish a policy that would provide a sustainable model that included co-investment with Dairy Australia in whole-of-chain activities.
More information on the poll and how to vote is available at: dairypoll.com.au
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