BIOSECURITY Australia has invoked a "stop the clock" measure on its import risk analysis of fresh apples from the US northwest.

BA chief executive Colin Grant last week ordered a halt to revision of the draft IRA - which will be passed on to the Eminent Scientists Group - after seeking more information from the US Department of Agriculture on quarantinable pests.

He said the clock would be restarted once the information was received and it had been shown risks were acceptable or quarantine measures existed that would reduce risk to acceptable levels.

Water recycling workshop

THE National Greenhouse Waste-Water Recycling Project kicks off next Wednesday with the first of 14 free workshops in six states to be held in Shepparton.

The project aims to help greenhouse and hydroponic fruit and vegetable growers gain the skills needed to convert open systems (free drainage) to fully closed (recycled), which will deliver savings of up to $15,000 a year on water and fertiliser for a typical 4000sq m system.

Workshops also will be held at Werribee on March 23 and Cranbourne on March 24.

For more details, phone Ross Wade on (03) 5833 2816.

Chapman new Citrus Australia head

THE peak body representing the citrus industry, Citrus Australia, has a new chairwoman.

Former deputy chairwoman Tania Chapman was appointed at Citrus Australia's first annual general meeting at Renmark in South Australia last week. She replaces Kelly Jones.

Kevin Parr is the deputy chairman.

Submissions sought

SUBMISSIONS are being sought on a draft decision by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to re-authorise collective negotiation arrangements proposed by the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association.

The proposed arrangement will allow TFGA members to collectively negotiate the terms and conditions of vegetable growing contracts with McCain Foods, Simplot and any new processors for another five years.

Submissions close on Friday.

For more details, phone 1300 302 502.

  • Send your horticulture news to Sandra Godwin, The Weekly Times, PO Box 1728, Swan Hill 3585, email godwins@theweeklytimes.com.au or fax to (03) 5032 9352.