Image: Farm Online.
Agricultural groups says the proposed Federal Food Levy will hurt farmers, drive up the cost-of-living and make groceries more expensive at the checkout.
Under the proposal announced in the federal budget last year, primary producers will cover about 6% of the biosecurity protection levy. Importers, considered to bring the highest risk, will pay about 48%, with taxpayers and Australia Post covering 44% and 2%, respectively.
GRAIN Producers Australia and GrainGrowers were united in opposition to the current Biosecurity Protection Levy framework when representatives fronted a senate inquiry into the proposed legislation on April 23
GPA chief executive Colin Bettles and GrainGrowers general manager – policy and advocacy Zachary Whale appeared at the hearing alongside other agricultural industry groups and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry…