Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon Julie Collins MP
Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury, the Hon Andrew Leigh MP
The Albanese Labor Government is committed to a strong horticulture industry in Australia and is today announcing that Mr Chris Leptos AO will lead an independent review of the Horticulture Code of Conduct.
Horticulture is Australia's third largest agriculture industry, with production value forecast to hit a record $18.9 billion this financial year, and exports on track to hit another record of $4.4 billion.
The Code regulates trade between growers and traders of wholesale unprocessed fruit, vegetables, nuts and herbs, to ensure transparency and clarity of transactions.
The review will examine potential improvements to the Code and allow stakeholders to consider competition issues facing the sector.
Mr Leptos, who brings extensive corporate and government experience, will consult with stakeholders across the horticulture supply chain over coming months.
Growers, traders, industry bodies and government agencies are encouraged to consider the review's consultation paper and respond with their suggestions about how to improve the Code and its operation.
A significant volume of horticulture trade occurs in the central wholesale markets, which are supplied by around 10,000 growers and serviced by more than 400 fruit and vegetable wholesalers.
Through 13 million sales transactions, around 4 million tonnes of horticultural produce worth more than $8 billion is processed through the central wholesale markets each year.
This underscores the importance of having up-to-date and robust regulatory settings to support the sector.
A final report is expected to be provided to Government by the end of April.
