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FACT SHEET
FRUIT AND NUT (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND EXTENSION TRUST
FUND) BILL 2011
This Bill replaces the existing Apple and Pear (Crop Insurance) Repeal Act 1999. The Original Act
was enacted in 1982 and was designed to administer funds collected from an industry compulsory
insurance scheme after the scheme was ended. The Act was amended in 1999 after a review of
the National Competition Policy.
In December 2009, Fruit Growers Tasmania (FGT) the peak industry body for Tasmanian fruit
growers, approached the Government to amend references of `apple and pear' to `fruit and nuts'
within the Apple and Pear (Crop Insurance) Amendment and Repeal Act 1999. This was because the
number of apple and pear growers has decreased by close to 50% over the last ten years and
other fruit and nut growers could benefit from access to the Trust Fund.
Upon enactment of the Bill, the Apple and Pear (Crop Insurance) Amendment and Repeal Act 1999
will be repealed and replaced with the Fruit and Nut Industry (Research, Development and Extension
Trust Fund) Act 2011.
The proposed new Act will not alter the purpose of the Trust Fund, but rather make the funds
available to the broader fruit and nut industry. This is a reflection of how the industry has evolved
over recent years.
· The Bill will retain the power of the Minister to approve `other purpose' activities
(recommended by the Board of Management) not defined under the Act.
· The Bill now allows for `extension' (training) which enables industry to improve its
productivity from research and development activities.
· The existing Board of Management of the Trust Fund (comprising 4 industry
representatives and 1 government representative) will be retained.
· The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment will continue to
administer the Trust Fund on behalf of industry.