Food producer peak bodies have joined with the Opposition, calling for a Parliamentary Inquiry into the Biosecurity Act.
Both AUSVEG SA and Citrus SA have expressed their concerns at how the Government has managed the tomato virus outbreak.
The calls follow the loss of at least 500 jobs yesterday from one of the state’s and southern hemisphere’s largest producers, Perfection Fresh Australia Group at Two Wells.
Perfection Fresh has been forced to cut jobs and destroy tonnes of produce and plants in response to Primary Industries of South Australia (PIRSA) orders to lockdown due to the tomato virus.
Leader of the Opposition, Vincent Tarzia said food producers are vital to the state’s economy and the Government must act swiftly to protect not only the tomato industry, but the welfare of the workers who have been made redundant.
“There is uncertainty over the lockdown process and the science – producers are right to be concerned,” said Mr Tarzia.
“But equally we are concerned at the impacts of this on the tomato production industry. We know producers are bracing for more lockdowns and of course this ripples through the supply chain and local community.
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Dr Nicola Centofanti will today in the Legislative Council call for the establishment of an inquiry.
“Of course, we must manage our biosecurity and any outbreaks, but the issue here is about having confidence in the process. If growers can’t trust PIRSA, what can they trust?” said Dr Centofanti.
“We cannot have a situation where producers are more fearful of Government regulations and being shut down than they are of the virus.
Dr Centofanti also today renewed her calls for the Minister to use her discretion to compensate impacted producers and workers.
Local Member Penny Pratt MP, visited growers, producers and local businesses impacted by the discovery of the virus.
“Lining up at 9am with affected workers, we were disappointed that no senior members of the Government were on the ground to greet and support the 500 people who lost their jobs yesterday.
“This is the tip of the iceberg and I’m worried there is more to come.”
Quotes attributable to Citrus SA, Chair, Mark Doecke
In light of the current Tomato Virus outbreak and with the ongoing Fruit Fly situation in the Riverland, we need to fully consider the practical application of legislation and any proposed changes.
Considering that a new Biosecurity Act is waiting to be passed, I support an inquiry that would investigate the practical application of what’s proposed.
Growers in South Australia are hard working providers for people everywhere and compliance, especially unexpected, can be an unnecessary burden.
Quotes attributable to Jordan Brooke-Barnett, CEO AUSVEGSA
Looking at our recent industry experience with the Tomato virus response it is clear to me that there is a clear need to investigate the state and national response powers and processes regarding priority pests and diseases to see if we can refine these processes, improve efficiency and timeliness of decision-marking and better support our growers through what can be an, at times, brutal and costly process.
AUSVEG SA is happy to contribute to any process aimed at investigating and improving our industry preparedness for biosecurity responses and will work with both the SA Government, opposition, key independents and any other interested party.
Recent industry experience has shown that state and federal governments have significant powers to impact industry under biosecurity legislation, so it is only right in our view that these powers, including their implementation under emergency response, are periodically reviewed and understood in the context of the very real human cost they cause within industry.
