>Weekly Update, Friday, March 12, 1999
>PRESIDENT'S COLUMN: If the government adopts the changes proposed by the
>Ralph Review there would be a devastating effect upon farms and other small
>businesses. The underlying objective of the Ralph review appears to be to
>reduce the company taxation rate from 36% to 30%. Few farmers will benefit
>from a reduction in the company tax rate, but they will be hit hard by
other
>changes proposed by the review. Under the Ralph Review's proposals, farmers
>will have to pay tax on changes in the assessed market value of livestock.
>If accepted, this would result a once off tax liability of hundreds of
>millions of dollars for farmers. The proposed changes to accelerated
>depreciation provisions and the taxation of trusts and partnerships could
>also be devastating for farmers and other small business people.
>Genetically modified organisms the application of gene technology will have
>a similar impact on farming over the next 10 to 20 years as the silicon
chip
>has had on the telecommunications industry. Genetically modified organisms
>or GMO's are plants or animals whose genetic make up has been changed by
the
>direct incorporation of different genes. Australian farmers must be part of
>this revolution or we will be run over by it. If gene technology is not
>available to Australian farmers, or if the technology is not applied to our
>production systems, which are very different from the Northern Hemisphere,
>we may find ourselves left behind. For more information contact: Peter
>Walsh, 018 507 541; Clay Manners, 9207 5520.
>RECORD NUMBERS FOR VFF GRAINS CONFERENCE: More than 500 grain growers and
>industry representatives from across Victoria registered for the Annual VFF
>Grains Group Conference in Yarrawonga this week. Widespread industry
>restructuring and the high calibre speakers has attracted even greater
>numbers than last year when a record attendance was set for such a farmer
>group conference. For more information contact: Lyall Grey, 9207 5560.
>CATCHMENT RATE WIN FOR VICTORIAN FARMERS: The Minister for Agriculture and
>Resources, Pat McNamara announced major changes to catchment Management
>Authorities (CMA) rating at the VFF Grains Group Conference in Yarrawonga.
>The VFF President, Peter Walsh, described this as a major win for the
>organisation and its members. The Minister will direct CMA's to only impose
>an additional valuation rate on properties worth more than $1 million. This
>will mean most farms will simply pay the flat rate of about $35. The
changes
>will take place from the 1999/2000 rating year and follow strong lobbying
by
>the VFF. For further information: Peter Walsh, 018 507 541; Clay Manners,
>0418 309 187.
>HALF PRICE SOIL TEST FOR VFF MEMBERS: VFF members will be able to obtain
>soil tests through Pivot Fertiliser at half normal price. The new benefit ,
>exclusive to VFF members, was announced by the chairman of Pivot, John
>Watson, at the VFF Grain Group Conference. The President of the VFF, Peter
>Walsh, said this announcement is an extension of a long standing
association
>between Pivot and the VFF. Under this arrangement the benefit will go
>directly to VFF members. "A farmer using 6 to 8 soil test per year will
save
>in their order of $150 - $200 which is about equal to the average VFF
>membership fee," Mr Walsh said. For further information: Peter Walsh, 018
>507 541; Clay Manners, 0418 309 187.
>DEREGULATION CLARIFIED: As the UDV continues its round of deregulation
>meetings across the State, members are taking the opportunity to clarify
>their understanding of the process regarding deregulation and the national
>transition package. Recently publicised misinformation regarding the UDV's
>position and the Inquit report has been addressed at the meetings. Mr
>Fehring has also responded to concerns about the exit of dairyfarmers from
>the industry. 'Over the past 5 years, 1200 dairyfarmers have left the
>industry. I am sure that this decline will continue leading up to the year
>2000. The national transition package will provide Victorian dairyfarmers
>with the equivalent of 3 years of market milk regulation and an extension
of
>DMS. It is like an insurance package - it allows the commercial side of the
>industry to get on with its business and ensures that dairyfarmers will not
>be any worse off. For more information contact: Max Fehring, 9207 5603;
>Trevor Robbins, 5235 0222.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Mar 13 2002 - 16:50:34 AEDT