The ACCC has authorised AgStewardship to continue collecting a levy on the sale of agricultural and veterinary chemicals, to fund programs for the safe disposal and recycling of the containers and unused chemicals.
The levy, imposed on participating manufacturers, was first authorised in 1998 and has now been authorised to continue for a further five years.
"We see considerable public benefit from these collection and recycling programs," ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.
The ACCC has also approved the first increase of the levy, from four cents per litre or kilogram to six cents per litre or kilogram, to keep pace with increased expenses and to fund improvements to the programs.
Some grower groups have expressed concern with the proposed increase of the levy, asking for increased transparency and oversight of the programs by farmers in exchange for supporting the increase.
"These recycling programs are important to farmers as the end users of the chemical products. We encourage AgStewardship to work more closely with farmers and other stakeholders to ensure the programs are as effective as they can be, continue to meet the needs of these groups, and provide farmers with full accountability for levy expenditure."
