South Perth, Western Australia
July 23, 2004
Western
Australian seed growers will have more flexibility and time to
pay for seed certification following a recent review of
certification fees.
The Western Australia Seed Industry Working Group
and the Department of
Agriculture revised the fee structure to ensure the
efficiency of the certification service to meet increased demand
from growers.
The Department’s AGWEST Plant Laboratories
manager Mark Holland said more seed growers were participating
in certification schemes than in previous years, making the most
of improved seasonal conditions.
Mr Holland said the area inspected for production
under certification schemes of cereals, pulses and pasture crops
increased last season from just over 6,300 hectares to over
8,000 hectares.
Certified seed of new varieties including EGA
Jitarning, EGA Castle Rock and Tranby canola are expected to be
available this year.
Mr Holland said the fee collection changes had
been welcomed by seed growers.
“Part of the total seed certification fee can now
be collected from growers closer to the time of seed sale,” Mr
Holland said.
“Approximately 30 per cent of the fees have been
shifted from the time of crop inspection in November to the time
of seed testing which is anywhere from November until May.”
Mr Holland said applications for 2004 season
would close on 15 August. Any potential seed growers should
contact Peter Hill on 9368 3721 for application forms and
advice.
The Seed Industry Working Group, with
representatives of seed and producer groups, meets regularly
with the Department on issues of seed certification, quarantine,
commercialisation and plant breeders rights.
The Working Group is soon to evaluate an
accreditation system for seed lots which fail certification for
minor reasons and will look to facilitate the development of
biotechnology tests to enable accreditation of seed of mixed
varieties of sub-clover. |