Your Levy at Work

NGIA Attends the International Seminar on Plant Propagation and Nursery Certification in Chile

Conference delegates at the International Symposium on Plant Propagation and Nursery Certification

The International Symposium on Plant Propagation and Nursery Certification, held in Rancagua Chile on 24 October 2012, provided an opportunity for 150 international delegates to hear from key members of the Chilean nursery industry, leading agribusinesses and network with fellow growers and international counterparts.

The event featured a number of international speakers including Dr Anthony Kachenko, Environmental & Technical Policy Manager of the Nursery & Garden Industry of Australia (NGIA), Dr Marc van Iersel, Professor, Department of Horticulture, University of Georgia and Dr Thomas Burr, Professor and Associate Dean of Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Speakers were sponsored by the symposium organisers which included the Catholic University of Maule (UCM), CORFO (Chilean Government Department of Economic Productivity) and Chilean Fruit Nurseries Association (AGVF).

RELEASE: Trees in pots bring life to courtyards and balconies

by YLAWMaster • Media Releases, NGI Updates

Image courtesy of Lorna Rose

Higher density living means the big backyard is a thing of the past for many people in Australia, but people are turning to pots to keep trees and plants in their lives.

Nursery & Garden Industry Australia (NGIA) has noticed a strong trend towards container gardening, not just for small plants and vegetables but also for trees, for courtyards, balconies and small gardens.

“Many tree and shrub varieties grow quite successfully in containers. Apart from a much more attractive outlook than a fence or neighbouring building, they provide shade, better air quality and privacy,” said the CEO of NGIA, Mr Robert Prince.

“It is sad to see such limited individual green space in urban developments which highlights the need for public spaces with trees to provide all the environmental, social and financial benefits they offer.

“But it is encouraging that the community is keen to improve their plant life balance. We are witnessing a strong growth in edible gardens and tree planting, even in pots,” Mr Prince added.

Nursery leads the way in saving water

by YLAWMaster • Media Releases, NGI Updates

A win in the national savewater! Awards ® by a production nursery is a leading example of what is being done within the industry in water conservation, reports Nursery & Garden Industry Australia (NGIA).

NGIA CEO, Mr Robert Prince, today congratulated Cameron’s Nursery in New South Wales for winning the Small Business Award that recognises innovation and achievement in their water management.

“In a 12 month period they reduced their use of potable water by 80% and had an overall reduction in water use by 36.75%. This has been achieved by investing in innovation and infrastructure and shows again the leadership from our industry in water saving practices,” Mr.Prince said.

RELEASE: Businesses targeted for the new nursery industry market research

by YLAWMaster • Media Releases

Invitation packs have been sent to an identified target list of businesses to encourage their participation in the new Nursery Industry Market Research program.

The Industry Reference Group, with the assistance of the State Associations, has worked to establish a statistically relevant group of businesses across the greenlife, allied and growing media sectors to ensure credibility of the data collection and usefulness of reported data. Around 300 businesses across the country have been identified and their contribution to the project is critical to its success.

‘’The target list is not definitive; it is designed to ensure that a minimum level of participation is met before launching the respective reporting. All bona fide businesses operating within the greenlife, allied and growing media sectors, are encouraged to contribute data to the research” said Gerard Sweeney, General Manager of GfK Informark, the organisation collecting data and producing reports. More

NGIA submission to federal draft biosecurity legislation

by Chris OConnor • NGI Updates

Nursery and Garden Industry Australia have submitted a response to the Federal Government draft Biosecurity Bill and draft Inspector-General of Biosecurity Bill.

The two bills propose a modern overhaul of federal biosecurity legislation which is currently based upon the century old Quarantine Act 1908.

While many of the changes to the draft biosecurity legislation proposed to address the weaknesses in the Quarantine Act 1908, several were flagged as concerning to the nursery industry. For example, the proposed import process in the draft legislation did not include a strong independent and scientific reference group to ensure impartiality and integrity in the process.

NGIA also expressed concern that the proposed legislation did not provide industry with an independent appeal process which was based on science for consignments that were held up at the border.

To view the industry response, please click here. To view the draft legislation, go to the DAFF website.

For more information please contact your state association or the NGIA office on (02) 8861 5100.

Have your say on the proposed Biosecurity Eradication Levy

by YLAWMaster • NGI Updates, Policy News

CEO of NGIA, Robert Prince will address meetings of the nursery product levy payers to be held around the country in the coming weeks. One of the key components of these meetings is the vote on the proposed Biosecurity Eradication Levy.

In 2005, NGIA joined with the Commonwealth and State/Territory Governments as a signatory to the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD), which clarifies responsibilities if an Emergency Plant Pest (EPP) incursion occurs. Under this deed, industry is required to have in place funding mechanisms to meet its financial liabilities for EPP responses. Without this the government will not underwrite any industry expenses. To meet this obligation, the nursery industry is proposing the introduction of a Biosecurity Eradication Levy.

All state and territory Nursery and Garden Industry bodies are in support of this levy and can be approached for more information, or an information guide can be found on the NGIA website. Click here to download a copy of the information guide.

For details on the times and locations of the nursery product levy payers meetings please contact your state association or the NGIA office on (02) 8861 5100.